Can Ventura

Can Ventura is an eclectic early-20th-century mansion in Montgat, a small coastal town in the Maresme region, right on the boundary with Masnou. The building stands on Camí Ral 191, the town's main street, just steps from the seafront and the old N-II road.

What is this building?

Can Ventura was commissioned by the Ventura family in the first half of the 20th century. Architectural surveys classify it as Eclectic and Historicist — the design borrows heavily from medieval motifs, giving the villa the silhouette of a small castle. In the second half of the century the family added workshop buildings around the main house to manufacture awnings and sailcloth, which is why the property is also linked to a former textile works operating at the same address.

What will you actually see there?

The façade is built around defensive-looking details: corner turrets, crenellations running along the tops of the walls, and machicolation-style ornaments shaped like paper birds. The tallest, central section of the house carries a large family coat of arms and a niche with a sculpture set above it. One of the most unusual features is a chimney shaped like a human figure — a detail you won't find on other houses in Maresme. The whole structure is built in exposed brick and stone, and one window holds a stained-glass panel bearing the Ventura family's coat of arms.

The building has an irregular floor plan made up of several connected volumes of different heights, which reinforces the impression of a castle assembled in stages rather than built in one go.

Can you go inside?

No. Can Ventura remains private property and is used as a residence, so the interior is closed to visitors. It can only be viewed from the outside while walking along Camí Ral. Even so, it is listed in the Inventory of Architectural Heritage of Catalonia as an example of historicist residential architecture from the early 20th century, though it carries no formal heritage-protection status — the coat of arms on the façade, dating from the mid-20th century, falls outside the scope of protection set out in decree 571/1963.

How do you get there?

Montgat sits on the Rodalies R1 commuter line, which connects Barcelona with the Maresme coast; Montgat or Montgat Nord station is a short walk from Camí Ral. By car, the drive from central Barcelona takes about 20 minutes, and the building stands directly on the former N-II road, now the town's main street.

When is the best time to visit?

Can Ventura is best seen as part of a walk along Montgat's seafront promenade, ideally outside the peak summer crowds, when traffic on Camí Ral is lighter. Afternoon light works particularly well on the façade, throwing clear shadows across the turrets, crenellations and coat of arms that make the details easier to photograph.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Can Ventura open to visitors? No, it is a private residence. The building can only be admired from the street, along Camí Ral.

Who built Can Ventura? The Ventura family built the house in the first half of the 20th century and later added workshop buildings for manufacturing awnings and sailcloth.

What makes the building's appearance so distinctive? Its castle-like styling: corner turrets, crenellations, a large family coat of arms, and an unusual chimney shaped like a human figure.

What's the fastest way to reach Montgat from Barcelona? Take the Rodalies R1 train — the journey takes about 20-25 minutes, and the station is close to Camí Ral.