Can Dangla

Can Dangla is a traditional Catalan masia (rural farmhouse) in Argentona, in the Maresme region, standing near the Sant Jaume de Traià neighborhood, away from the town's main center. It is one of many examples of the farming architecture that gives this stretch of the Maresme its distinctly rural character.

What is the story behind Can Dangla?

For generations the farmhouse belonged to a family who worked the surrounding land, growing potatoes and other produce sold locally and at markets in Barcelona. It was this trade — selling crops at Barcelona's historic Born Market — that laid the groundwork for what later grew into a produce business known today as Dangla, S.A.T., now one of the wholesalers operating out of Mercabarna, Barcelona's central wholesale fruit and vegetable market.

How has the farmhouse changed over time?

Through the 1980s and 1990s, as the family business expanded, much of the old potato-growing land gave way to storage and packing facilities. The family still keeps a small vegetable garden on the property, a reminder of the estate's original farming purpose. Can Dangla therefore stands as a marker of a shift common across the Maresme: from self-sufficient agriculture toward modern food distribution.

How do you get to Can Dangla?

The property sits in the rural part of Argentona municipality, surrounded by fields and other masies typical of the area. The easiest way to reach it is by car, using the local roads that connect Argentona with neighboring Maresme towns. There is no large public car park nearby, so it's best to leave a vehicle along the main access roads and continue on foot if you only plan to view the building from outside.

What can you see there?

Can Dangla is first and foremost a working commercial site — the base of a fruit and vegetable distribution business — rather than a heritage building open for visits. From the outside, though, you can appreciate the shape of a classic Catalan masia set within Argentona's farming landscape, with visible traces of its transformation from a working farm into the logistics base of a modern company.

When is the best time to visit?

Because Can Dangla has no tourist or museum function, there are no set visiting hours for the public. Spring and autumn are the best times to walk the surrounding area, when Maresme temperatures are mild and the fields and orchards around the property look their best. Pair a visit with a stop in Argentona's town center, just a short drive away.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you go inside Can Dangla? No — it's a private, active business property tied to Dangla, S.A.T., and its interior is not open to visitors.

Where does the name and history come from? The name comes from the family who ran a farm here for generations, growing potatoes and vegetables sold partly at Barcelona's Born Market — the historical precursor to today's Mercabarna.

Are there other masies worth seeing nearby? Yes — Argentona and the wider Maresme region have many similar farmhouses and rural estates; the town hall's heritage catalog is a good place to check for protected examples.

What's the best way to plan a visit? Driving is easiest, using local roads linking Argentona with neighboring Maresme towns; it's worth combining a look at Can Dangla with a walk through Argentona's town center.