Can Boquet

Can Boquet is a historic masia (Catalan country farmhouse) in Vilassar de Dalt, a town in the Maresme region just inland from the coast north of Barcelona. The building sits on a hillside with sweeping views toward the sea and surrounding hills, and it is listed as a local cultural heritage asset.

What will you see there?

Can Boquet ranks among the largest farmhouses in Vilassar de Dalt, built to a basilical layout — a raised central volume flanked by lower side sections, echoing the shape of a small basilica. The building rises through a ground floor, upper floor and attic, and a sundial is tucked among the attic windows. Its roof runs in two slopes with the ridge set perpendicular to the facade, and the main entrance opens through a segmental arched portal framed in cut stone blocks, a detail repeated around the many window openings.

Inside, five sections run perpendicular to the facade, historically housing living quarters, a wine cellar, and stables for livestock and equipment. This layout reflects centuries of piecemeal building typical of Catalan farmhouses, which grew gradually as families added new sections across generations.

Attached to the rear of the farmhouse stands the chapel of Sant Salvador, a site considerably older than the farmhouse itself. In its current, heavily restored form the chapel has Romanesque roots documented since 1055, and researchers suggest the original sacred structure on this spot may date back as far as the 10th century. Evidence points to continuous worship through the 14th, 15th and 16th centuries, and the chapel underwent its last major restoration in 1982.

Nearby, look out for the Creu de Can Boquet, a stone cross standing at a mountain pass 378 metres above sea level, linking the hills of en Roure and Pedrells. A cross has stood at this spot since at least 1777. It was damaged during the Spanish Civil War, and its surviving fragments were kept at the Can Boquet farmhouse until, after the war ended, the cross was restored to its original location.

How do you get there?

Vilassar de Dalt sits in the Maresme, a short distance northeast of Barcelona. The easiest approach is by car or train to neighbouring Vilassar de Mar on the coast, then onward by local transport or taxi inland to Vilassar de Dalt, which sits higher up, away from the shoreline. Can Boquet lies outside the town centre in a rural setting, so it is best reached by car or on foot along the trail connecting the town to the surrounding hills.

When is the best time to visit?

Spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons, when Maresme temperatures are mild and the surrounding hills — including the walk up to the Creu de Can Boquet — are pleasant to explore without the heat of the Catalan summer. The coastal view from around the farmhouse is at its best on clear, calm days.

Frequently Asked Questions

What exactly is a masia, and how does it differ from an ordinary house? A masia is a traditional Catalan country estate that combined living and working functions under one roof — family quarters, storage cellars, and space for animals and farm equipment all shared the same structure.

Can visitors go inside Can Boquet? The property is privately owned and listed as a local heritage asset, so interior access depends on current arrangements with the owners and the town council — it is worth checking with the Vilassar de Dalt town hall before planning a visit.

What is the chapel of Sant Salvador? It is the Romanesque chapel attached to the farmhouse, documented since 1055 with possible origins as early as the 10th century, making it one of the oldest places of worship in the area.

Is it worth combining a visit with a walk to the Creu de Can Boquet? Yes — the cross-marked mountain pass at 378 metres sits right nearby and makes for a natural viewpoint and an easy short hike through the hills surrounding Vilassar de Dalt.