Ca l'Ànima

Ca l'Ànima is a historic masia, a traditional Catalan farmhouse, standing in Argentona, in the Maresme comarca near Barcelona. The building sits in the Sant Jaume neighbourhood, where the old camí dels Contrabandistes crosses the camí de Sant Jaume, and it counts among the many rural farmhouses that give this part of Maresme its distinctive countryside character.

What will you see?

Ca l'Ànima belongs to what local heritage catalogues classify as a "Group I" masia — the oldest and most classic type of farmhouse layout in the region. The building is arranged in three sections across a ground floor and upper storey, topped with a two-slope roof. Its most recognisable features are a rounded stone doorway, dressed window surrounds, and carefully cut stone corners, all typical of Catalan rural building traditions from the early modern period.

Records date the farmhouse to around 1620, though the structure actually reveals several building phases layered on top of one another. The rear section preserves a section of exposed stone wall that looks considerably older than the rest of the house, suggesting there was already a building on this spot before the 17th-century expansion. The grounds also retain an old stone well and a washing trough, small but telling traces of the self-sufficient rural life the farmhouse once supported.

The building is in good condition, although it carries no formal heritage protection status. It currently functions as a private home, so there's no public access to the interior. For visitors, the appeal of Ca l'Ànima lies in taking in the exterior on a walk through the surrounding lanes and in placing it within the wider rural landscape of Maresme, where farmhouses just like it are scattered across the fields and low hills around Argentona.

How do you get there?

Ca l'Ànima stands along the lane connecting camí dels Contrabandistes and camí de Sant Jaume, in the rural fringe of Argentona just outside the town centre. The access road is easy to walk or drive, and the spot fits naturally into a countryside walking or cycling route around Maresme. Argentona itself is only a short drive from Mataró and roughly 30–40 minutes from Barcelona, making it a comfortable stop for anyone exploring the Maresme coast or spending a day away from the Catalan capital.

Driving is the simplest option — Argentona has parking near the town centre, from which a short stretch of country lane leads to the farmhouse. Travellers without a car can take the train to Mataró and continue by local transport or taxi.

When should you visit?

Since the farmhouse is seen from the outside, spring and autumn are the most pleasant seasons, when mild temperatures make walking the surrounding lanes comfortable and the fields around Maresme look their best. In summer, aim for the early morning or late afternoon to avoid the midday heat. Argentona as a whole is also worth timing around its local festivals and markets, when the historic town centre comes to life.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you go inside Ca l'Ànima? No. The building is a private home and is not open for interior visits — it's best appreciated from the outside during a walk through the area.

How old is the building? Records place it around 1620, though part of the rear section is even older, visible in a patch of exposed stonework that differs clearly from the rest of the structure.

Is Ca l'Ànima a protected heritage site? It's listed in the regional cultural heritage catalogue and rated in good condition, but it does not currently carry a formal protection designation.

How can you combine it with the rest of Argentona? Treat Ca l'Ànima as a stop along a countryside walk, then head into Argentona's historic centre, known for its typical Catalan architecture and lively small-town atmosphere.