can Diviu

Can Diviu is a historic masia — a traditional Catalan country house — standing in the Valldeix neighborhood of Mataró, one of the better-preserved examples of rural Maresme architecture from three centuries ago. Tucked beside the Can Gener stream, away from the city center and seafront, it offers a different side of Mataró than the beach promenade most visitors see first.

What will you see there?

The façade of Can Diviu is a textbook example of 17th-century rural Catalan building. The entrance is framed by a voussoir arch, and the upper-floor windows are set in carved stone jambs and lintels — a detail typically reserved for wealthier farmsteads of the period. One of the windows bears the carved date 1698, which helps pin the building firmly in time. The first floor stands out for its three windows and a sundial mounted on the wall, while the attic level has four openings that have been altered over the years.

Structurally, the house follows the classic masia layout — ground floor, first floor, and an attic under a two-pitched roof — originally built as a compact, three-part volume typical of Maresme farmhouses. Centuries of use brought extensions and alterations that have blurred some of the original proportions, yet the main façade retained enough authenticity to be listed under Mataró's Special Plan for Architectural Heritage as an asset of local cultural interest.

One detail that reliably catches visitors' attention is the building's old nickname: Casa dels Lladres, the House of Thieves. It comes from a robbery scene once carved into the façade — the relief itself has since disappeared, but the nickname survived in local memory and still comes up whenever the history of the Valldeix neighborhood is discussed.

How do you get there?

Can Diviu sits in the Valldeix district on the outskirts of Mataró, roughly a short drive or bike ride from the city center and train station. It suits travelers who like to pair heritage sightseeing with some outdoor time, since the surrounding area is well suited to walking or cycling along the Can Gener stream. Because the house lies off the main public transport routes, arriving by car or bicycle is the most practical option.

When should you visit?

Spring and early autumn are the best windows, when Maresme temperatures are mild and the surrounding countryside looks its most attractive. Can Diviu is essentially a building to admire from the outside rather than a museum with fixed opening hours, so it's worth checking local heritage-day events — initiatives such as Open Puig i Cadafalch sometimes offer extra context or access to the grounds around the masia.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Can Diviu? It's a 17th-century masia, a traditional Catalan country house, located in the Valldeix neighborhood of Mataró.

Where does the nickname Casa dels Lladres come from? From a robbery scene once carved into the façade. The relief has since vanished, but the nickname "House of Thieves" remains part of local tradition.

Can visitors go inside? Can Diviu is privately owned and protected as a local cultural asset, so visits are essentially limited to viewing the façade and surroundings from outside.

What details are worth looking for on the façade? The arched entrance portal, the carved stone window frames, the date 1698 inscribed on one window, and the sundial on the first floor.