Can Vilà

Can Vilà is the oldest masia — a traditional Catalan farmhouse — in the municipality of Tiana, a hillside town in the Maresme region just northeast of Barcelona. Locals also know the property as Ca la Marieta de les Cols, a nickname that has stuck around for generations.

Where is Can Vilà located?

The farmhouse sits on the right bank of a small stream running through Tiana, next to two other historic properties, Can Parxet and Can Roca. This strip of land along the water shaped the whole area for centuries: the stream once powered a mill, and the fertile soil around it supported the vineyards and orchards that Maresme is still known for today.

What is the history behind the house?

The Vilà family name shows up in local records as far back as the 16th century, in documents describing tasks commissioned by the parish rector to a certain Lluís Vilà. The building itself likely dates from the late 16th or 17th century, though it has been reshaped several times since. The clearest physical trace of that history is the year 1777, carved into the highest part of the façade, marking a major renovation carried out in the second half of the 18th century.

A water mill once operated on the stream beside the house. The mill structure itself is gone, but several of its millstones survive and now sit in front of the house, repurposed over the years as outdoor tables — a small, tangible link to the water-powered economy that once ran through this part of Tiana.

Can Vilà's story is not only one of rural routine. During the Peninsular War, in the Napoleonic period at the turn of the 18th and 19th centuries, the house was looted and burned by French troops — a fate shared by many Catalan farmhouses during that turbulent stretch. Local memory also preserves the story of a member of the Vilà family who died near the mill.

What else is worth seeing nearby?

A visit to Can Vilà pairs naturally with a short walk to the neighboring masies. Can Parxet stands out for its traditional two-slope roof and a square tower added at a later date, its façade partly covered in ivy while the stone archway of the entrance remains visible. Can Roca completes the trio. Together, the three farmhouses form part of a historic rural route through Tiana that gives a good sense of how life in the Catalan countryside evolved over several centuries. The walk between them is short and easy, with no special preparation needed.

How do you get to Can Vilà?

Tiana lies just a short distance northeast of central Barcelona, close to the Maresme coastline. The easiest way in is by car or local public transport from Barcelona or from neighboring Montgat, which is only a few kilometers from the beach. The farmhouse itself sits within the municipality among fields and remnants of the old rural landscape, so it's worth planning to explore the area on foot once you arrive.

When is the best time to visit?

Spring and early autumn bring the mildest weather and the most scenic surroundings, with the fields and vineyards around the farmhouse at their best. Summers in Tiana can get hot, but the proximity to the Maresme coast makes it easy to combine a stop at Can Vilà with an afternoon at the beach.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can visitors go inside Can Vilà? The property is privately used today, with part of it occasionally offered as tourist accommodation, so access is generally limited to viewing the façade and surroundings from outside.

Why is the house also called Ca la Marieta de les Cols? It's a traditional nickname used alongside the name Can Vilà, referring to one of the women who lived at or ran the farmhouse in the past.

Are there other historic farmhouses nearby? Yes — Can Parxet and Can Roca sit right next to Can Vilà, together forming part of Tiana's historic agricultural landscape.

What happened to the mill at Can Vilà? The mill building itself no longer stands, but its millstones remain in front of the house, where they are still used today as improvised outdoor tables.