Ca l'Ametller

Ca l'Ametller is a historic masia — a traditional Catalan country estate — standing on the outskirts of Mataró, in the Maresme region of Catalonia. The building is listed as a local cultural heritage asset and ranks among the more interesting examples of fortified rural architecture in the area.

What is Ca l'Ametller?

A masia is the classic Catalan farmhouse type: part family home, part working farm, part defensive stronghold, usually expanded over several centuries. Ca l'Ametller follows the pattern typical of Maresme — a three-part layout, ground floor plus an upper storey, and a double-pitched roof. The date 1588, carved into the keystone of the entrance portal alongside the initials "JMJ", marks the earliest documented building phase, placing its origins in the late 16th century.

What will you see there?

The portal and facade

The facade's centerpiece is a round-arched portal built from carved stone voussoirs, a style characteristic of late-16th and 17th-century construction in the region. Above the entrance sits a coat of arms bearing the initials "JMJ" and the date 1588 — most likely referring to the founders or early owners of the estate. The windows follow the same 17th-century rural vernacular found across Maresme farmhouses.

Interior layout

At the back of the main hall, an elliptical stone arch leads toward the staircase, next to which sits the door down to the cellar. To the left of the hall is the kitchen, complete with a traditional hooded bread oven — a feature still found in many surviving masies across the region.

Defensive features

On the upper floor, tucked beneath the windows between the ceiling joists, a row of narrow gun slits (spitlleres) survives from the building's defensive past. Such features were common across rural Catalonia during periods of unrest and banditry, when isolated farmhouses had to be able to defend themselves.

How do you get to Ca l'Ametller?

Ca l'Ametller lies within the municipal boundaries of Mataró, the capital of the Maresme region, well connected to Barcelona by the Rodalies R1 train line and the C-32 motorway. From the city center, the easiest way to reach the farmhouse is by car or bicycle, since it sits away from downtown, surrounded by the fields and orchards typical of the Maresme countryside. As a privately owned building on the local heritage register, viewing is generally limited to the exterior — the facade, portal, and surrounding grounds.

When should you visit?

Spring (April to June) and early autumn (September to October) are the best times to explore the Mataró and Maresme countryside, with mild temperatures and the surrounding fields and orchards at their most scenic. Summer tends to be hot and busy near the Costa del Maresme beaches, which can make a quiet visit to the rural surroundings less pleasant.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you visit the inside of Ca l'Ametller? The building is private property on the local cultural heritage register, so visits are generally limited to viewing the facade and portal from outside.

Where does the 1588 date on the portal come from? It's carved into the keystone of the entrance portal next to the initials "JMJ" and marks the earliest documented construction phase of the farmhouse.

What are the openings on the upper floor? They are old gun slits (spitlleres), set between the ceiling joists beneath the windows — a remnant of the defensive character common to rural Catalan farmhouses.

How do you get to Ca l'Ametller from Barcelona? The easiest route is the Rodalies R1 train to Mataró, followed by local transport, a bike, or a car to reach the surrounding area where the masia stands.