Can Carrencà (Martorelles)

Can Carrencà is a historic masia — a traditional Catalan farmhouse — in Martorelles, a small town in the Vallès Oriental region just northeast of Barcelona. Listed in Catalonia's Inventory of Architectural Heritage, the estate has become the social heart of the municipality.

Where does the name come from?

The Carrencà family name shows up in records as far back as 1250, making this one of the oldest documented estates in the area. The farmhouse was built on the flatter, fertile land near the Besòs river, a deliberate choice: access to water was essential for the kitchen gardens and orchards that once surrounded it. The Carrencà family held the property until the late 19th century, when a phylloxera outbreak wiped out the local vineyards and closed the most profitable chapter of the farm's history.

What will you find on site?

The estate peaked in the 18th century, largely thanks to vineyard cultivation. From that era comes the chapel dedicated to Saint Dominic, built in 1748 and linked to the main house by a covered bridge — an unusual architectural touch rarely seen in Catalan masies. The main building itself has a double-pitched roof with the ridge running perpendicular to the façade, two rectangular side wings, and a symmetrical three-storey layout at its core. Another distinctive feature is the old water tower, which once pumped water up from an underground spring.

The former wine cellar, where wine used to age, has been converted into a multipurpose hall seating between 120 and 250 people. It now hosts small concerts, performances, and temporary exhibitions, alongside a permanent display on Martorelles' winemaking heritage — a tradition that once shaped the entire region.

How is Can Carrencà used today?

The municipality has owned the property since 1985, and it now operates as Espai de Carrencà, a complex combining several buildings and functions. On site you'll find a dedicated youth space (Era Jove), a hall used for courses, conferences and fitness classes, a multi-sports court, and La Vinya, a newer multipurpose venue with its own bar. A weekly Saturday market also takes place here, making it a natural gathering point for the town.

How do you get to Can Carrencà?

The complex sits at Avinguda d'en Piera 3-27, in Martorelles (postal code 08107). Martorelles is about 20 km north of central Barcelona and is well connected by the regional Rodalies train network and the main road linking the capital to Vallès Oriental — expect a 25–35 minute journey by car or train.

When should you visit?

A Saturday morning is a good bet, when the local market is running, or check ahead for the cultural calendar of the multipurpose hall, since concerts and temporary exhibitions run periodically rather than daily. The grounds and the farmhouse's exterior architecture are open to visitors for most of the year, with no major seasonal restrictions.

Frequently asked questions

Is Can Carrencà free to visit? The grounds and the farmhouse's exterior are open to the public at no cost. Access to specific events, such as concerts or exhibitions, depends on the current program — check the town hall's calendar for details.

How many people can the old wine cellar hall hold? The restored celler seats between 120 and 250 people, depending on the seating layout for a given event.

What's the connection between Can Carrencà and wine? For centuries the estate's income relied heavily on vineyard cultivation, until phylloxera destroyed the vines in the late 19th century. Today the former cellar houses a permanent exhibition on that winemaking tradition.

Is there a chapel at Can Carrencà? Yes — the Capella de Sant Domènech, built in 1748 and connected to the main house by a covered bridge, is one of the site's most distinctive features.