Can Llaurador de Dalt

Can Llaurador de Dalt is a historic farmhouse (masia) in the centre of Teià, a small town in the Maresme district roughly 25 km northeast of Barcelona. The building is listed in Catalonia's Inventory of Architectural Heritage as a site of cultural value, and it makes for a rewarding stop while wandering through Teià's old town.

Where does the name come from and what is the building's history?

The earliest records of residents at Can Llaurador de Dalt go back to the early 16th century. In 1515 the house was home to Joan Llauradó, and in 1533 to Francesc Llauradó, who held the post of batlle - the local official representing municipal authority in Teià at the time, roughly equivalent to a town bailiff or mayor's deputy. The building's name comes from the Llauradó family, who were tied to the property and to local administration for generations. The addition "de Dalt" (literally "upper" or "from above") distinguishes this house from other properties in the area that also carry the family name.

What will you see on the facade?

Can Llaurador de Dalt is a textbook example of rural architecture in the Maresme region. The building has two storeys - a ground floor and one upper floor - topped by a two-sided roof covered in Arab-style tiles, typical of Catalan farmhouse construction.

On the ground floor, the eye is drawn to a central arched doorway flanked on both sides by windows fitted with wrought-iron grilles. The upper floor has three windows framed in large ashlar stone blocks. Above the central window sits a small, round sgraffito decorated with a flower motif, and to its right a sundial is set directly into the facade. These two details - the sgraffito and the sundial - are unusual flourishes for rural architecture in the region, so they are worth pausing for during a visit.

What is the building used for today?

Although Can Llaurador de Dalt has kept its historic appearance, it now serves public and administrative functions. The wider Can Llaurador complex houses the offices of Teià's Culture department, the local Oficina de Català (the Catalan language standardisation office), and the municipal archive. That means the site is very much in daily use - it is not a sealed-off museum piece but a working part of the town's civic infrastructure that residents visit regularly.

How do you get to Can Llaurador de Dalt?

The building sits within Teià's historic centre, so the easiest way to reach it is on foot while exploring the old town. Teià lies in the Maresme district, close to Alella, known for its vineyards and wine-making tradition, and not far from the Costa del Maresme coastline. Driving from Barcelona is the most convenient option, via the C-32 motorway or the coastal N-II road, followed by a short walk into the town centre. The building's coordinates are approximately 41.50019, 2.31845 - worth entering into a map app so you don't lose your way in the narrow streets of the old quarter.

When is the best time to visit?

The facade and its architectural details can be admired year-round, at any time of day, since the building stands in plain public view in the town centre. If you plan to visit the library or the offices housed inside Can Llaurador, check the opening hours on Teià's municipal website beforehand - these are public institutions that keep standard office hours rather than tourist-friendly hours available every day.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Can Llaurador de Dalt? It is a historic farmhouse in the centre of Teià, listed in Catalonia's Inventory of Architectural Heritage, known for the flower-motif sgraffito and sundial on its facade.

Can you go inside the building? The building now serves administrative and library functions, so interior access is possible during the opening hours of those institutions. The facade, however, can be freely viewed from outside at any time.

Where does the building's name come from? The name comes from the Llauradó family, members of whom lived in the house as early as the 16th century - Joan Llauradó in 1515 and Francesc Llauradó, a local batlle, in 1533.

Is it worth combining with other sights in Teià? Yes. The building stands in the town's historic centre, making it easy to pair with a walk through Teià's old town and a short trip to nearby Alella, known for its vineyards and wine tastings.