can Gener

Can Gener is a 17th-century masia — a traditional Catalan farmhouse — set in the hills above Mataró, in the Maresme region of Catalonia.

Where exactly is can Gener?

The building stands at Veïnat de Valldeix 21, at an elevation of 185 metres above sea level, in a rural area away from the centre of Mataró — the coastal town and capital of the Maresme comarca, roughly 30 km northeast of Barcelona. That inland, agricultural setting is typical for farmhouses of this age: away from urban development, surrounded by fields, in a spot chosen for working the land rather than for display.

What will you see there?

Can Gener is an example of "arquitectura popular" — vernacular, non-aristocratic rural building typical of the Catalan countryside. The farmhouse originally consisted of three sections under a double-pitched roof, a layout common to masies from this period in Maresme. The main façade still preserves a semicircular arch built from wedge-shaped voussoir stones, a balcony, and windows with stone lintels — the details that remain the building's most recognisable features today.

Over the centuries the house went through several extensions and alterations that damaged its original volume and structure. Even so, the façade still gives a clear sense of what a 17th-century farmstead in this part of Maresme looked like.

Why is the building protected?

Since 2003, can Gener has held the status of "bé cultural d'interès local" (asset of local cultural interest), and it is registered in Catalonia's heritage inventory (IPAC) under number 33787. That designation protects the building as evidence of local rural building history, even though its original form has not survived intact.

How to get there?

The easiest approach is to travel to Mataró first — the town has a direct rail connection to Barcelona (the R1 Rodalies line), with a journey time of roughly 30–40 minutes. From the town centre, reaching Veïnat de Valldeix, where can Gener stands, requires a car or taxi, since it's an outlying agricultural area with limited public transport.

When to visit?

Maresme has a Mediterranean climate, with mild winters and hot summers. Spring and autumn bring the most comfortable temperatures for exploring the area and walking the rural lanes around Mataró. It's worth keeping in mind that can Gener is a protected heritage building rather than a museum with set opening hours — plan a visit with that in mind.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you visit the inside of can Gener? Available information doesn't indicate regular public opening — this is a protected heritage building, not a museum. The façade and its architectural details can be viewed from outside.

How old is the building? Can Gener dates from the 17th century.

What are the most distinctive architectural features? A semicircular arch built of voussoir stones, a balcony on the main façade, and windows with stone lintels, all part of the original three-section layout under a double-pitched roof.

Why does can Gener come up when researching Mataró? Because it's one of the buildings listed in Catalonia's heritage inventory (IPAC) as an asset of local cultural interest, documenting the rural architecture of Maresme.