Can Coromines

Can Coromines is a historic house in Premià de Dalt, a small town in the Maresme district just north of Barcelona. Listed as a local heritage asset, it stands out as one of the more interesting examples of residential architecture in this part of Catalonia.

What will you see?

The house was built in 1790, and its original Baroque character is still visible in several distinctive features. The most striking is the doorway framed with rounded, hand-cut stone blocks, a detail typical of Catalan Baroque design. The frieze crowning the façade is equally notable, alternating concave and convex lines that give the otherwise solid building a sense of movement.

The layout follows the classic pattern of rural residences from that period: a ground floor, an upper floor, and an attic beneath a two-pitched roof whose ridge runs perpendicular to the façade. This arrangement let wealthier local families use the attic as extra living space, a practical solution common among the era's country houses.

During the Modernist period, around the turn of the 20th century, the building underwent a substantial renovation. It was converted into a summer residence, a role many houses in Maresme took on as Barcelona's bourgeoisie sought retreats outside the city. That phase added pilasters framing the windows and balcony, ceramic ornamentation set above the lintel, and floral sgraffito decoration on part of the façade. The mix of Baroque and Modernist elements means the building's exterior tells the story of two distinct architectural eras side by side.

How to get there?

Premià de Dalt sits a short distance inland from the Maresme coast, roughly a dozen kilometers from Barcelona. Driving is the most convenient option, since the town connects well to the C-32 motorway and the coastal road network. Travelers without a car can take the train to nearby Premià de Mar and continue to Premià de Dalt by local bus or taxi in about fifteen minutes. The house sits within the town's built-up area, so a walk through the surrounding streets is a good way to take in other examples of local architecture at the same time.

When to visit?

Spring and early autumn are the best times to visit, when temperatures in Maresme are mild and the area isn't yet crowded with summer beachgoers heading for the coast. Since Can Coromines functions as a private or administrative building rather than a museum, visits are generally limited to admiring the façade from outside — daytime hours work best, as natural light brings out the detail in the stone portal and the sgraffito ornamentation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Can Coromines? It's a historic house in Premià de Dalt, built in 1790 in the Baroque style and later remodeled during the Modernist era into a summer residence.

Can visitors go inside the building? The house isn't open to the public as a museum, so visits are usually limited to viewing the architecture from the outside.

What's the most notable architectural feature? The blend of two eras — the Baroque stone doorway and the later Modernist additions, including pilasters, ceramic details, and floral sgraffito.

What's the best way to reach Premià de Dalt? By car via the C-32 motorway, or by train to Premià de Mar followed by a short local bus or taxi ride into town.