Cal Baster

Cal Baster is a Gothic farmhouse with a defensive tower in Teià, a small town in the Maresme comarca roughly 25 km northeast of Barcelona. The building stands at Carrer Antonio Machado, 29, and is listed as a Bé Cultural d'Interès Nacional — the highest heritage-protection category in Catalonia.

What will you see there?

The masia itself dates from the 15th century. It originally had a barrel-vaulted entrance portal, a two-slope roof, and three Gothic windows on the upper floor — only one of those windows survives today, and it's the building's standout feature. It has an ornate ogee (conopial) arch carved from a single block of stone, decorated with trefoil arches. Look closely at the stonework and you'll spot carved figures combining human heads with fantastical animal bodies, a grotesque motif typical of Gothic decoration.

A defensive tower was added to the farmhouse in the 16th century, built as a direct response to repeated raids by Barbary and Ottoman pirates who regularly plundered the Maresme coastline during that period. The tower has an unusual layout: square on the outside but circular on the inside. It was built from granite blocks, brick, and stone masonry, with sections of adobe infill. The tower has kept nearly its full original height, though the upper section was modified later and the current wooden roof sits on a more recent supporting structure.

Only about a third of the original 15th-century complex survives — modern construction now surrounds the masia on every side. In the 19th century the property belonged to the Estaper family of nearby Can Bota, and in 2011 an archaeological survey was carried out during renovation works.

How do you get there?

Cal Baster sits in the center of Teià, at Carrer Antonio Machado, 29. Driving is the easiest option, with street parking available nearby. Teià borders Alella and Vilassar de Dalt, and Barcelona itself is about a 30-minute drive away.

Can you go inside?

No — Cal Baster is privately owned and not open for casual visits. Modern buildings crowd around it so closely that even the top of the tower is barely visible from the street. Its appeal lies in its history and architecture rather than an interior visit, making it more of a stop for heritage walks through Teià than a conventional sightseeing attraction with exhibits.

When's the best time to visit?

Since Cal Baster is mainly viewed from the outside, the mild spring and autumn months are best for exploring Teià and the surrounding Maresme streets on foot. In summer, aim for early morning to avoid the heat typical of the Catalan coast.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Cal Baster? A 15th-century Gothic farmhouse (masia) with a 16th-century defensive tower added to protect against pirate raids.

Can you tour the inside of Cal Baster? No, it's private property. Visitors view the building from the outside, focusing on the surviving Gothic window and the tower.

Why does the tower have such an unusual shape? It's square on the outside but circular inside — a design common in defensive towers built along the Maresme coast against pirate attacks.

How much of the original building remains? Roughly one-third of the original 15th-century structure, though the tower has kept nearly its full height despite later modifications.