Ca l'Arrà

Ca l'Arrà is an 18th-century masia (traditional Catalan farmhouse) in Cabrils, a small town in the Maresme comarca, Barcelona province. For decades the building served as the seat of the town's local history museum and it remains a notable piece of Cabrils' cultural heritage.

What is Ca l'Arrà?

The building is a classic example of the rural masia architecture typical of the Maresme region. In the early 1980s, the local authorities of Cabrils decided to turn the farmhouse into a home for a municipal museum. Planning began in 1983, and a year later, in 1984, the Museu Municipal de Cal Arrà opened its doors on Carrer de les Acàcies — the town's first permanent exhibition dedicated to local history.

What did the museum show?

The collection featured tools and everyday objects from 19th- and 20th-century rural life, including farming implements and household items, alongside pieces from local archaeological finds. Together, the exhibits documented daily life in the Maresme countryside before industrialization, when agriculture and craftsmanship formed the backbone of the region's economy.

Why did the museum move?

Space and technical limitations at Ca l'Arrà eventually led the town to relocate the collection. In 2010, renovation work began at Can Ventura del Vi, another farmhouse in the center of Cabrils, partly funded by the State Local Investment Fund. The works upgraded the ground and upper floors and added an elevator, improving accessibility. The renewed institution, now known as the Museu Arxiu Municipal de Cabrils, formally reopened on 22 January 2011.

What does the museum do today?

Its mission is the study, conservation, documentation, restoration, exhibition, and promotion of Cabrils' archaeological, ethnographic, geological, botanical, natural, historical, and cultural heritage. Alongside its museum function, it also serves as the town's municipal archive, preserving documents that record the community's history.

How do you get to Cabrils?

Cabrils sits in the Maresme comarca on the coast just north of Barcelona, close to towns such as Vilassar de Mar and Cabrera de Mar. It's a quiet, low-key town, appealing to travelers who want a look at traditional Catalan rural architecture away from the busier coastal resorts.

When should you visit?

Because the site now functions as an archive and small local museum rather than a staffed tourist attraction, it's best to contact the Cabrils town hall in advance — opening hours can be limited and some services require an appointment. This is a destination for visitors interested in regional history and rural architecture rather than a conventional sightseeing stop with fixed visiting hours.

Frequently asked questions

What was Ca l'Arrà? An 18th-century farmhouse in Cabrils that housed the town's municipal history museum from 1984 to 2010, displaying rural tools and archaeological finds.

Where is the museum located today? Since 2011 it has operated as the Museu Arxiu Municipal de Cabrils in the renovated Can Ventura del Vi farmhouse, in the town center.

What was on display at the original Ca l'Arrà museum? Everyday tools and objects from 19th- and 20th-century rural life, together with archaeological pieces documenting the history of the Maresme region.

Do you need to book a visit? Given its role as an archive with limited opening hours, it's worth contacting Cabrils town hall beforehand to confirm availability.