Can Manent

Can Manent is the oldest surviving building in Premià de Mar, a small coastal town in the Maresme region just northeast of Barcelona. This former farmhouse (masia) sits right in the town centre and now serves as a cultural venue, even though its story stretches back to the early 17th century.

Where does the building come from?

The earliest records of Can Manent date to 1618, while the structure itself was raised in 1616 — the small settlement of fishermen and farmers that grew up around this farmhouse eventually became the town of Premià de Mar. The building only took on its present appearance in 1708, after a major extension. Toward the end of the 17th century, Can Manent operated as an inn and a stagecoach stop on the Camí Ral, the old royal road linking Barcelona with Perpignan, where travellers could rest and horses were changed for fresh ones.

What will you see there?

The farmhouse follows the classic basilical layout common to Catalan masies: three parallel sections, with the taller central one housing a ground floor, an upper floor, and an attic beneath a gabled roof. The main entrance, set into the central façade, is framed by a rounded arch built from cut stone voussoirs. It's modest but sturdy rural architecture, typical of the better-off farmsteads of Maresme centuries ago — today protected as a local cultural heritage asset.

How has its role changed over time?

In 1977 the town council bought the property and began adapting it for public use. A municipal library opened inside in 1984 and stayed there until it relocated in 2010. Meanwhile, from 1986 to 2001, the ground floor housed the Municipal Textile Printing Museum, a nod to the textile industry that once shaped much of Maresme's economy. Since 2011 the building has been home to the organisation coordinating the town's popular-culture groups, and its latest incarnation is the Casa de la Festa — a space dedicated to local festive imagery, including the giants (gegants), big-heads (capgrossos) and other figures central to Catalan folk festivals.

How do you get to Can Manent?

Premià de Mar lies roughly 25 km northeast of Barcelona and is well connected by the Rodalies regional train network — the ride from central Barcelona takes under half an hour. From Premià de Mar station it's a short walk, around fifteen minutes, through the town's historic centre to reach Can Manent. It makes a natural stop when combining a visit with a stroll along the seafront promenade and the nearby Maresme beaches.

When is the best time to visit?

The site can be visited year-round, though it's worth checking the local events calendar first — as the Casa de la Festa, the building comes especially alive during patron saint festivals and folk celebrations, when the town's traditional festive figures and props are on display. Spring and early autumn make for comfortable timing, letting you pair the visit with a walk around town away from the summer beach crowds.

Frequently asked questions

Is Can Manent a museum? Not in the classic sense today — the building now functions as the Casa de la Festa, a cultural space dedicated to local festive traditions and the base for the organisation that coordinates the town's popular-culture groups.

How much does it cost to visit? As a municipally run cultural space, access to events and exhibitions is generally free or tied to local festivals, so it's worth checking the current schedule before you go.

Is it really the oldest building in town? Yes, Can Manent is considered the oldest surviving building in Premià de Mar, with roots going back to 1616.

What else is worth seeing nearby? Beyond Can Manent, it's worth strolling through the town's historic centre and along the Premià de Mar seafront promenade, and visiting the nearby Maresme beaches.