Can Rafart

Can Rafart is a historic manor house in Vilassar de Dalt, a small town in Catalonia's Maresme region a short drive from Barcelona. Listed as a local heritage site, the building now sits at the heart of a public park that has become one of the town's favourite green spaces.

Where does the name come from?

The estate's story starts in the 13th century. The earliest records of the property, then called Mas Riera del Pou, date to 1229, when it belonged to a woman named Dolça de Riera. By the 14th century it appears in local records as part of the domain of Vilassar Castle. The turning point came in 1579, when heirs of the Riera family married into the Rafart family from nearby Cabrils — a union that gave the estate the name it still carries today.

What will you see there?

The building's current appearance comes from a major renovation carried out between 1888 and 1891 by Josep de Bruguera Alemany, who turned the modest country house into a grand neo-Gothic residence in the historicist style typical of late 19th-century Catalonia — complete with turrets, ornamental details, and a stately silhouette rarely seen in the region's traditional farmhouses. Notably, the new manor was built directly on top of the earlier 14th-century farmhouse, and several original elements survived the rebuild and remain visible in the structure today.

The manor is now surrounded by a municipal park. The land around it was reclaimed for public use in 1998 and turned into a recreational, social, and cultural space, with walking paths, shaded rest areas under mature trees, and room for local events. The building itself now houses a community and cultural centre for the town, along with activities aimed at older residents.

How do you get to Can Rafart?

Vilassar de Dalt sits slightly inland from the Maresme coast, and the easiest way in is by car via the C-32 motorway or local roads from Vilassar de Mar. The park and manor are within the town itself, so once you arrive, it's just a short walk — this isn't a remote attraction requiring a special trip, but part of the everyday fabric of Vilassar de Dalt.

When should you visit?

Spring and early autumn are the best times to visit the park, when temperatures are mild for walking and the greenery around the manor is at its most striking. Summers in the Maresme can get hot, so mornings or late afternoons are a better bet during that season. It's also worth checking the town's local events calendar, since the community centre regularly hosts cultural activities that can turn a simple park visit into something more.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Can Rafart? It's a historic Catalan manor house (masia) in Vilassar de Dalt, rebuilt between 1888 and 1891 into a neo-Gothic residence, and today home to a community centre set within a public park.

Can you visit the inside of the building? The building now functions as the town's community and elderly care centre, so access to the interior is generally tied to the activities and events held there rather than open tourist visits.

Is entry to the park free? Yes, the park surrounding the manor is a public space, free to enter for both residents and visitors.

Where does the name Can Rafart come from? From the Rafart family of Cabrils, who took over the older Riera family estate — previously known as Mas Riera del Pou — through a marriage in 1579.