Can Morera

Can Morera is a historic Catalan farmhouse in the Llerona district of les Franqueses del Vallès, in the province of Barcelona. Standing beside the N-152 national road (around km 32.8), it is listed in the Inventory of Architectural Heritage of Catalonia, making it a worthwhile stop for anyone exploring Vallès Oriental beyond the usual tourist route.

What is Can Morera?

Can Morera is a former rural estate, or masia, whose recorded existence goes back to the 13th century. In the 1553 tax census (fogatge), a widow named Àngela Morera is listed in connection with the property — a detail some local historians link to the period when the house may have been rebuilt and given the name it still carries.

The building keeps the general layout typical of Catalan farmhouses, but its present, picturesque appearance dates from a major renovation in 1881. That work raised and rebuilt the upper part of the façade and added an exterior enclosure wall with an imposing exposed-brick gateway, its construction date carved into the stone. Flanking the gate are two square corner towers topped with wavy-profile merlons (crenellations), their upper sections decorated in brick — a detail that sets Can Morera apart from the surrounding farmhouses.

What will you see on site?

The standout architectural feature is a large rectangular tower attached to the main house, with an open gallery on its upper floor and a crenellated crown. The form echoes the defensive towers found on older fortified masies, though here it serves a mainly decorative and scenic role. Together, the house, tower and walled gateway form a coherent, well-preserved ensemble for a privately owned rural building.

Keep in mind that Can Morera is private property, so in practice visits are limited to viewing the façade, gateway and tower from the road. Even so, the overall structure and its architectural details — the merlons, the brickwork, the tower's proportions — are clearly visible and worth a short stop.

How do you get there?

Can Morera sits in the Llerona district, on the N-152, the road linking Granollers and Vic and the main transport axis of Vallès Oriental. Driving is the easiest option: from Barcelona it takes roughly 40 minutes via the AP-7 motorway or the C-17 road toward Granollers, then the N-152 toward Llerona. The area is also reachable by bicycle for visitors exploring the smaller villages of the les Franqueses del Vallès municipality.

When should you visit?

Since visits are limited to viewing the exterior, spring and autumn are the best seasons — the light brings out the brickwork details nicely, and temperatures are comfortable for walking around the area. Summer afternoons in Vallès Oriental can get hot, so early morning or late afternoon visits are more pleasant.

Frequently asked questions

Can you go inside Can Morera? No — it is private property. You can view the façade, gateway and tower from the public road, but the interior is not open to visitors.

How old is Can Morera? The property's existence is documented from the 13th century, while its current, distinctive appearance comes from a renovation carried out in 1881.

Where does the name Can Morera come from? It likely comes from the Morera family — a 1553 census records a widow, Àngela Morera, associated with the estate.

What is the most distinctive architectural feature? The two corner towers with wavy merlons flanking the entrance gate, and the large rectangular tower with an open gallery and crenellated crown attached to the main house.