Can Targa

Can Targa is a 16th-century farmhouse in el Masnou, a coastal town in the Maresme region a short train ride northeast of Barcelona. The building stands at Carrer de Camil Fabra 15, in what was once the fishing hamlet of Alella, annexed to the municipality of el Masnou in 1840. It is one of the last physical traces of the rural village that later grew into a seaside town.

What kind of building is Can Targa?

Can Targa is a masia, the traditional Catalan farmhouse tied to agricultural or fishing life. It has a rectangular floor plan, two storeys, and an Arab-tile roof with a two-sided slope and a ridge set perpendicular to the south-facing main façade. Catalonia's architectural heritage catalogue dates the construction to 1597. Because of its historical and architectural value, the building is listed as a Bé d'Interès Local (an asset of local cultural interest), catalogue number BCIL 3589-I, within the Inventory of Architectural Heritage of Catalonia.

Where does the name Can Targa come from?

The name does not honour the house's best-known owner, sea captain Josep Sampera, but the renegade and pirate Sampera once captured. That story has stuck to the building for generations and is now part of how el Masnou tells its own history as a town of sailors and fishermen.

What happened here over the centuries?

In the late 19th century, one of the estate's heirs, Josep Ventura i Estapé, ran a liquor distillery on the property, producing the anise liqueur La Liebre among other spirits. Behind the house, a fountain in the kitchen garden became a popular gathering spot for residents out for a walk. Local poet Josep Pujades i Truch wrote a poem dedicated to that fountain, a sign of how deeply the house and its garden were woven into the town's everyday life.

How do you get to Can Targa?

El Masnou sits on the Rodalies R1 commuter line, making it an easy day trip from Barcelona by train, with the station a short walk from the town centre. From the station, Can Targa on Carrer de Camil Fabra is reachable on foot in about fifteen minutes, through the narrow streets of the old fishing quarter. Drivers can reach el Masnou directly via the C-32 motorway, which has an exit leading straight into town.

What will you see on site?

The building today houses the Can Targa Occupational Therapy Centre, a municipal facility supporting people with intellectual disabilities. It remains a working public-service building rather than a museum, so the interior is not open to visitors. The main appeal for travellers is the structure itself: a well-preserved example of Catalan rural architecture, four centuries old, sitting within the modern street grid of el Masnou. Walking the surrounding blocks shows how the former fishing village of Alella merged into the town over time.

When is the best time to visit?

Spring and early autumn bring the mildest weather to the Maresme coast and make walking the town's streets most pleasant. A visit to Can Targa pairs naturally with a stroll along el Masnou's seafront promenade and marina, both just a few minutes away on foot.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you go inside Can Targa? No. The building is an active occupational therapy centre and is not open for visits — you can view it from the street on Carrer de Camil Fabra.

How old is Can Targa? Catalonia's heritage catalogue dates its construction to 1597, making it one of the oldest surviving buildings in el Masnou.

Why is it called Can Targa? The name comes from a renegade and pirate captured by the estate's owner, Captain Josep Sampera, rather than from the captain himself.

Is Can Targa a protected heritage site? Yes. It is registered as a Bé d'Interès Local under catalogue number BCIL 3589-I, part of the Inventory of Architectural Heritage of Catalonia.