Can Sent-romà

Can Sentromà is a historic country estate (masia) in Tiana, standing at the foot of Montalegre hill in the western part of this Maresme municipality near Barcelona. What makes it remarkable is what lies beneath the current building: the remains of a Roman villa, making the site one of the region's clearest examples of unbroken human settlement stretching from antiquity to the present.

What will you see there?

The building you see today is the product of centuries of transformation. Its core is a substantial Gothic house dating from the 15th and 16th centuries, later expanded and reworked until it took on the Modernista appearance visible now. That layering of styles — Gothic bones wrapped in later, more ornate detailing — turns the estate into a compact lesson in the evolution of Catalan rural architecture.

Right beside the main house stands a small chapel. It has a rectangular floor plan and a double-pitched roof, topped by a recently rebuilt espadaña-style bell gable. Despite heavy restoration over the years, the chapel still holds pre-Romanesque elements: the foundations of an apse and a stone lintel carved with a Christogram and a blessing hand, both salvaged from an earlier Romanesque chapel on the same spot. The estate's name, Sentromà, actually comes from that old chapel, dedicated to Saint Romà and documented as far back as the 11th century.

The Roman villa buried beneath the present-day masia dates to the late 1st century BC. It was found by chance and has been under archaeological excavation since 1934. For anyone interested in archaeology, this is one of Tiana's most compelling stops — a direct line from a Roman villa rustica through a medieval chapel to a modern country residence.

How do you get to Can Sentromà?

Tiana sits in the Maresme comarca, right next to Barcelona, which makes it an easy day-trip destination. Can Sentromà lies in the western part of the municipality, at the base of Montalegre hill — the most practical approach is by car or local public transport from Barcelona or neighboring Badalona, finishing the last stretch on foot while taking in views over the Maresme hills.

When is the best time to visit?

Spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons, with mild temperatures around Barcelona and light that flatters the architectural detail on both the main façade and the chapel. In summer, an early-morning visit is the better choice, avoiding the heat that builds up along the Maresme coast later in the day.

Why is Can Sentromà worth a visit?

Few sites pack three historical layers into one spot the way this one does: a Roman villa, a pre-Romanesque and Romanesque chapel, and a Gothic-turned-Modernista country house. For anyone drawn to Catalan history and rural architecture, it offers a rare chance to trace over two thousand years of local history in a single, compact visit.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Can Sentromà? It is a historic masia in Tiana built over the remains of an ancient Roman villa, combining Gothic origins with later Modernista alterations.

Where does the name Sentromà come from? It comes from an old chapel dedicated to Saint Romà, documented since the 11th century and still standing next to the main house.

Can you visit the Roman villa beneath the building? The Roman villa, dating to the late 1st century BC, has been under archaeological study since 1934; since the site is a protected cultural property, it's worth checking current access conditions before visiting.

What is the main highlight of the site? The combination of three historical layers in one place — a Roman villa, a pre-Romanesque and Romanesque chapel, and a Gothic-Modernista country house — is what makes Can Sentromà stand out among Tiana's heritage sites.