Can Mestre

Can Mestre is a heritage-listed residential building in Noucentisme style, standing on Carrer Mossèn Cinto Verdaguer in the town of Figaró-Montmany, in the Vallès Oriental region of Catalonia.

What is this building?

Can Mestre was built as a summer residence in the early twentieth century, taking its present form after a major renovation in 1921. The work was carried out by master builder Antoni Mestre Rial, son of the property's owner at the time, Ramon Mestre Domingo — which is how the house came to bear the family name. Today the building is listed in Catalonia's Inventory of Architectural Heritage as a protected local monument.

What does the architecture look like?

The building's overall aesthetic sits close to Noucentisme, the Catalan architectural movement of the early twentieth century, though it also borrows typological elements from Modernisme and from the traditional Catalan masia (country manor house). That mix shows up in details such as neo-Gothic mullioned windows (coronelles) and a sun-facing solana gallery, a covered porch typical of Catalan rural architecture.

Can Mestre stands as a freestanding building in garden-city style, designed to make the most of the sloping plot it sits on. Because the ground drops away toward the rear, the street-facing façade has only a ground floor and an attic level, while the rear façade rises a full four storeys. The whole structure is topped with a composite roof, from which a square lookout tower with a four-sided pitched roof clearly emerges — a feature typical of summer residences from that era.

Where exactly is it, and how do you get there?

The building sits at Carrer Mossèn Cinto Verdaguer 7, in the el Figaró district, at the northern end of the row of houses built by Barcelona families who came to Figaró for their summer holidays. Its coordinates are approximately 41.7233 N, 2.2739 E. Figaró-Montmany lies in the Congost river valley, on the range of hills separating the Vallès from Osona, and is well connected by regional train and local road from both Granollers and Barcelona, making it an easy day-trip destination.

What else is worth seeing nearby?

Can Mestre is one of many examples of the summer-residence architecture that flourished in Figaró around the turn of the twentieth century, when middle-class Barcelona families built holiday villas here, drawn by the railway connection and the mild mountain climate. Walking through the centre of el Figaró, visitors can spot several similar residences from the same period, representing both Modernisme and Noucentisme — the two dominant currents in Catalan architecture of those decades. The distinctive silhouette of Can Mestre, with its lookout tower and stepped roofline, makes a good starting point for exploring the area's holiday-town history.

When is the best time to visit?

Spring and early autumn are the most comfortable seasons, when the hills of Vallès Oriental offer pleasant walking temperatures and the light flatters the façade and tower details. Summer tends to be busier, in keeping with the town's long tradition as a holiday destination, while winter brings a quieter, more low-key atmosphere.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you visit the inside of Can Mestre? The building is listed as protected heritage under Catalonia's Inventory of Architectural Heritage, but it remains privately owned, so visits are generally limited to viewing the façade and exterior.

What architectural style is the building? Mainly Noucentisme, blended with Modernisme-influenced elements and references to the traditional Catalan masia, visible in details like the neo-Gothic windows and the solana gallery.

Who designed the 1921 renovation of Can Mestre? The 1921 renovation was carried out by master builder Antoni Mestre Rial, son of the property owner, Ramon Mestre Domingo.

How do you get to Figaró-Montmany? The town lies in the Congost valley and is reachable by regional train or by local road from Granollers and Barcelona, making it convenient for a day trip.