Can Brossa

Can Brossa is a historic masia (a traditional Catalan country house) in Tiana, in the Maresme region near Barcelona. The building stands right next to the Mare de Déu de l'Alegria hermitage and is listed as a local cultural heritage asset.

What is Can Brossa?

Also known as Can Garnier, this former rural estate carries a documented history stretching back nearly four centuries. The earliest known date, 1626, is carved into a sundial on the façade. The house originally belonged to the Church of Mare de Déu de l'Alegria and served as the rectory for the nearby hermitage — a connection so close that a subterranean passage once linked the house directly to the church's sacristy.

What will you see there?

The building consists of a ground floor and two upper stories, topped by a two-sloped roof whose ridge runs perpendicular to the façade — a layout typical of masies in this part of Catalonia. The entrance is framed by a segmental-arch portal, above which sits the main balcony, resting on stone lintels and jambs. The most distinctive feature remains the sundial crowning the façade, which has marked time for the residents of Tiana for centuries.

In 1948, the house underwent a major renovation led by architect Ramon Riudor. That reform added the roofed gallery and the observation tower that give the building its more monumental, 20th-century silhouette, contrasting with the plain rural core of the 17th-century structure. An earlier round of smaller changes in the 19th century means what visitors see today is the product of several overlapping eras of building history.

How do you get to Can Brossa?

Tiana sits in the Maresme region, close enough to Barcelona to make it an easy day trip from the Catalan capital. Can Brossa stands next to the Mare de Déu de l'Alegria hermitage on the edge of town — the easiest approach is by car, or on foot as part of a walk that also takes in Tiana's historic center, from which a short, scenic stretch leads to the site.

When is the best time to visit?

Given its quiet, rural character, Can Brossa works best as a stop for an unhurried walk outside the peak tourist season — spring or autumn, when the surrounding Maresme hills look their best and the heat doesn't get in the way of exploring. It's worth pairing the visit with the hermitage itself and a stroll through Tiana's historic center.

Why is Can Brossa worth seeing?

It's a rare chance to see an authentic Catalan masia that served a religious rather than purely agricultural role for centuries — hence unusual features like the underground passage to the church sacristy. The building also shows how a 20th-century renovation can add to historic architecture without erasing its character.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Can Brossa? It's a historic masia (traditional country house) in Tiana, in the Maresme region, also known as Can Garnier and listed as a local cultural heritage asset.

How old is the building? The earliest documented date is 1626, visible on the sundial on the façade. The house was modified during the 19th century and underwent a major renovation in 1948.

Can you visit the interior? Can Brossa is a listed cultural heritage building, but it isn't run as an official museum — visits are generally limited to viewing the façade and surroundings from outside.

What else is nearby? The house sits right next to the Mare de Déu de l'Alegria hermitage, once linked to it by an underground passage, with Tiana's historic center a short distance away.