Ca l'Arnau

Ca l'Arnau in Cabrera de Mar (Maresme, Catalonia) is a site with two stories stacked on top of each other: a 19th-century manor house with a striking arcaded gallery standing above the buried remains of a Roman bath complex, thought to be the oldest public baths on the entire Iberian Peninsula. The site sits right in the town centre, next to the town hall and the municipal sports facilities, making it an easy stop while exploring the historic core of Cabrera de Mar.

What will you see at Ca l'Arnau?

Above ground stands a substantial Catalan masia, documented since the 15th century, though the building visitors see today dates from a thorough 1861 rebuild — the year is still legible on a sundial fixed to the façade. The house has a four-slope roof over a ground floor, first floor and attic, and its most distinctive feature is a first-floor gallery lined with eleven semi-circular arched windows. In 1950 the building underwent a further restoration under architect Josep Antoni Coderch i de Sentmenat, one of Catalonia's most influential 20th-century architects. Ca l'Arnau is listed today in the Catalan Inventory of Architectural Heritage.

Beneath the surface lies something far older. Excavations uncovered two overlapping sites: a Roman Republican-era settlement from the 2nd–1st centuries BC with a thermal bath complex, and a pottery workshop where wine amphorae were manufactured. The uncovered public baths (balneum) are considered the oldest of their kind on the Iberian Peninsula, confirming that the Roman settlement at Cabrera de Mar enjoyed the same amenities as towns back in Italy. A well-preserved kiln survives alongside the baths. Given its significance, the site has been declared a Cultural Asset of National Interest (BCIN).

How do you get to Ca l'Arnau?

Cabrera de Mar sits in the Maresme region, roughly 25–30 minutes by car or train northeast of Barcelona along the coast toward Mataró. The site itself is right in the town's centre, next to the town hall and the municipal sports complex, so once you reach central Cabrera de Mar it's only a short walk away. It makes a convenient stop for anyone exploring the Maresme coast by car or using the local commuter rail line.

When should you visit, and how do you see it?

Ca l'Arnau is one of the stops on the town's local Historical Heritage Route (Ruta pel Patrimoni Històric), which links the main landmarks of Cabrera de Mar's old town. The Barcelona Provincial Council carried out a project to protect and adapt the archaeological site for public visits, so the remains of the baths and the kiln can now be seen as part of an organised walk through the historic centre. Because the site combines a listed building with an open-air excavation, it's worth checking current access details with the town council before visiting, especially if you plan to go beyond the guided route. Spring and autumn are the most pleasant seasons for exploring the Maresme on foot, before the summer heat sets in and while the surrounding vineyards and orchards look their best.

Frequently Asked Questions

What exactly is Ca l'Arnau? It's a two-layered site: above ground, a 19th-century manor house listed in Catalonia's architectural heritage inventory; below ground, the remains of a Roman Republican-era settlement with baths and a pottery kiln.

Can you actually visit the Roman baths? Yes. The site was adapted for visitors as part of a Barcelona Provincial Council project and forms part of Cabrera de Mar's local heritage route.

Why are the baths at Ca l'Arnau considered so important? They're regarded as the oldest known Roman public baths on the entire Iberian Peninsula, dating from the 2nd century BC, making them a unique record of the earliest Roman presence in the region.

How much time should you set aside? Seeing the site itself takes about fifteen to thirty minutes, but it pairs well with the rest of the heritage route through central Cabrera de Mar, which typically takes 1.5–2 hours in total.