Ca n'Aimeric

Ca n'Aimeric is a historic masia (traditional Catalan country estate) in Cabrera de Mar, a small town in the Maresme district roughly 25 km northeast of Barcelona. The building stands on Carrer Corredor at an elevation of 118 metres and is legally protected as a local cultural asset (listed under BCIL and the town's POUM-1 planning scheme), even though it remains private property.

What is the history behind the building?

The earliest surviving record mentioning the estate dates to 1387, describing a sale of a land census by a certain Pere Eimeric to Pere Costa — the name Eimeric is the origin of the estate's current name, Ca n'Aimeric. Later records from 1497 and 1553 name subsequent residents from the Aymarich family. The building as it stands today most likely took shape during a 16th- or 17th-century rebuild, though several Gothic details suggest an earlier core, so the architecture spans a period from the Gothic era into the early modern age.

What will you see on site?

Ca n'Aimeric is a textbook example of a Maresme masia — a self-contained farmhouse combining living quarters with agricultural work areas. The entrance is the standout feature: a rounded stone doorway built from 13 wedge-shaped voussoirs, reached by five steps. Above it sits a Gothic window with a conopial (ogee-curved) arch, its capitals carved with small arcading, arabesque patterns and human-figure motifs — an unusually refined touch for a rural building. A separate rectangular window with a stone frame was added in the 17th century. The roof has three slopes, though the main façade reads as a simple two-slope gable, and the corners of the house are reinforced with cut granite blocks. Covered outbuildings and enclosed yards still surround the main structure, a layout typical of Maresme farmhouses of this kind. The house is inhabited and kept in good condition, so it's viewed from the outside only, from the public road.

How do you get to Cabrera de Mar?

Cabrera de Mar sits on the Maresme coast, between Mataró and Vilassar de Mar. By car, the easiest route is the C-32 motorway, exiting at Cabrera de Mar / Vilassar de Mar, or the coastal local road. The town also has its own station on the Rodalies commuter line linking Barcelona with the Maresme coast, making it an easy day trip from the city. The masia itself sits away from the town centre, in the municipality's farming area, so it's best reached on foot or by bike from the village.

When is the best time to visit?

Spring and early autumn bring the mildest weather and the most scenic surrounding fields and orchards. Summer draws crowds to the nearby Maresme beaches and can get hot, while winter strips much of the colour from the farmland, though the building itself is worth seeing at any time of year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you go inside Ca n'Aimeric? No — it's a private, inhabited residence, so visitors can only view it from the outside, from the public road.

Where does the name Ca n'Aimeric come from? It derives from the surname Eimeric (Aymarich), a family documented in connection with the estate as early as the 14th and 16th centuries.

What's the most striking architectural feature? The entrance doorway made of 13 stone voussoirs, paired with a Gothic conopial-arch window carved with arcading and figurative motifs.

How much time should I set aside? Viewing the façade takes only a few minutes, but it's worth pairing it with a walk through Cabrera de Mar's rural surroundings — plan for around an hour in total.