Ca l'Andreu

Ca l'Andreu is a Gothic farmhouse in Tiana, a small town in the Maresme region set in the hills above Barcelona. Listed as a cultural asset of local interest, it ranks among the oldest surviving pieces of rural architecture in this part of Catalonia.

What is the story behind the building?

Settlement on this site goes back to Roman times: archaeologists have found remains of a Roman villa between the Ca l'Andreu plot and the neighboring farmhouse Can Fàbregas, and local tradition holds that the name of Tiana itself derives from that villa. The farmhouse standing today dates from the turn of the 14th and 15th centuries — some sources place its construction in the late 1300s, others in the 1400s. For generations it functioned as a working masia, the traditional Catalan farmstead, surrounded by the fields and orchards typical of Maresme.

The turning point came in 2004, when Joan and Elisabet bought the ailing property with the goal of preserving one of the region's remaining rural spaces. The restoration was carried out with close attention to the original structure and a minimal environmental footprint. Today Ca l'Andreu operates as an eco-farmhouse offering accommodation and event space.

What will you see when you visit?

The building keeps the classic layout of a Catalan masia: a ground floor and an upper floor under a two-slope roof whose ridge runs perpendicular to the façade. The entrance is a stone doorway topped by a semi-circular arch, a detail typical of the region's Gothic rural architecture. Upstairs, look for the windows — some are small openings with plain stone lintels and jambs, while others feature lobed, conopial-arch lintels decorated with festoons, an unusually refined touch for a farmhouse and a sign of its former owners' status.

In front of the house lies a courtyard lined with outbuildings that together form a compact rural complex. The whole property is set within a Mediterranean garden and an organic vegetable patch, farmed without chemical inputs. Ca l'Andreu sits inside the Serralada de Marina Natural Park, with views stretching to the Mediterranean and the Barcelona skyline — one of the site's biggest draws.

How do you get to Ca l'Andreu?

Tiana lies about 20 km northeast of central Barcelona, inland from the coastal Maresme strip. Driving is the most convenient option, taking roughly 25–30 minutes from the city center depending on traffic. Public transport can get you to Tiana or neighboring Montgat, from where the farmhouse is reached on foot or by taxi, since it sits on the edge of town at the foot of the hills.

When is the best time to visit?

Given the hilly, green surroundings and sea views, spring and autumn are the most pleasant seasons, with mild temperatures well suited to walking the trails of Serralada de Marina. In summer, the garden's shade and the cooler hillside air offer relief from the heat of Barcelona below, while winter brings a quieter atmosphere and clear views without the crowds.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you visit Ca l'Andreu, or is it only accommodation? It functions primarily as a working eco-farmhouse with lodging and event space, but its architecture — the stone doorway, Gothic windows, and courtyard — is visible from outside and forms part of Tiana's local heritage.

How far is it from Barcelona? About 20 km, or roughly 25–30 minutes by car from the city center.

What is the most notable architectural feature? The semi-circular stone doorway and the Gothic upper-floor windows, including the rare lobed conopial-arch lintels decorated with festoons.

Is there older history in the area? Yes — nearby, between Ca l'Andreu and the Can Fàbregas farmhouse, remains of a Roman villa were found, which tradition links to the origin of the name Tiana.