Casa al carrer de Mossèn Jacint Verdaguer, 46

Casa al carrer de Mossèn Jacint Verdaguer, 46 is a historic townhouse in El Masnou, a seaside town on the Catalan coast in the province of Barcelona. The building forms part of a small row of houses on the same street (numbers 43, 44, 46 and 47), and number 46 stands out among its neighbours as the one with the most visible 19th-century remodeling.

Where is it and how do you get there?

The house sits on Carrer de Mossèn Jacint Verdaguer, named after the Catalan priest and poet Jacint Verdaguer, one of the leading figures of the Renaixença literary movement. El Masnou lies roughly 20 kilometres northeast of Barcelona, in the Maresme region, and is well connected by suburban train — the local station is within easy walking distance of the town centre and the street itself. Drivers can expect a 20–30 minute trip from central Barcelona along the coastal motorway, depending on traffic.

What will you see there?

Number 46 is a good example of a "casa de cós" — the narrow row house typical of Catalan coastal towns, gradually reshaped over time by successive owners. The building has a rectangular footprint with a small front courtyard, and rises through a ground floor, two upper storeys and an attic. The roof is flat and walkable, functioning as a terrace.

The façade follows a symmetrical composition built around two vertical axes. At street level there's an entrance door and a barred window; the first floor opens onto a continuous balcony with two openings, the second floor carries two separate balconies, and the attic closes the composition with two rectangular windows. Every opening is topped with a segmental arch, and the balconies rest on carved stone corbels shaped like women's heads — a detail worth stopping to look at closely while walking along the street.

The building is listed as an asset of local cultural interest (protected under the 1992 urban development plan and Catalan heritage law 9/1993) and remains in good condition. It is still a private residence, so visits are limited to viewing the façade from the street.

History of the building

The whole row at numbers 43 to 47 descends from the traditional narrow row houses common in Catalan seaside towns, which were progressively rebuilt during the 19th century as local trade and the seafaring bourgeoisie grew more prosperous. Number 46 is considered the most thoroughly and best-preserved example of that remodeling on the street, which is why it earned its own entry in the local heritage catalogue. The building's record was compiled by art historian Jordi Montlló Bolart and formally registered in February 2010.

When should you visit?

Carrer Verdaguer runs through a quiet residential part of El Masnou, so the façade is easiest to appreciate in daylight — morning or late afternoon light works particularly well on the carved details. Since El Masnou is a classic small seaside town, it's worth pairing a walk down this street with a stroll along the promenade, the marina and the beach, all just a few minutes away on foot.

Frequently asked questions

Can you go inside the house? No — it's a privately owned residence. You can only admire the façade and its architectural details from the street.

Why is this house protected? Because of the architectural value of its 19th-century remodeling: the symmetrical façade, the segmental arches, and the carved balcony corbels. It's listed in the local register of cultural heritage assets.

How long does it take to see the area? Walking the stretch of street with the row of houses at numbers 43–47 takes about 10–15 minutes. It pairs well with a longer walk through El Masnou's town centre.

How do you get there from Barcelona? The easiest way is the Rodalies suburban train toward Maresme — the journey takes about 25–30 minutes, and El Masnou's station is close to the town centre.