forn d’obra de Can Pobla

Forn d'obra de Can Pobla is a historic brick and tile kiln in the municipality of Matadepera, in the Vallès Occidental region of Catalonia.

What is the forn d'obra de Can Pobla?

A forn d'obra is a traditional construction kiln once used to fire bricks and roof tiles for nearby farmhouses, known locally as masies. Kilns of this kind were typically built close to the raw materials they needed: clay for the bricks, water, and wood to fuel the firing process. The kiln at Can Pobla is one of the best-preserved examples of its type in the massif where it stands, making it a tangible trace of the region's rural building traditions.

Where does the name come from?

The kiln takes its name from the nearby Can Pobla farmhouse, which it historically served. Naming a structure after the neighboring masia is a common pattern across the Catalan countryside, where scattered farm buildings and their associated workshops share a single family or property name.

Where exactly is it located?

The kiln sits within the Sant Llorenç del Munt i l'Obac massif, an area defined by rocky ridges, woodland, and old farmsteads. It lies close to other landmarks of the range, including the peak of La Mola and the distinctive rock formation known as Cavall Bernat, and the surrounding trail network connects it to caves locally known as dels Toixons, del Manel, and del Frare.

How do you get there?

Hiking trails starting from Matadepera, the town at the foot of the Sant Llorenç del Munt i l'Obac massif, lead to the kiln. It is a well-known stop for hikers exploring the park on foot, often combined on the same route with other traces of past land use, such as nearby kilns or wells.

Why is it worth visiting?

The kiln documents the pre-industrial economic history of Vallès Occidental, from a time when building materials for houses and farm outbuildings were produced locally, right next to where they would be used. For anyone interested in Catalonia's rural heritage, it offers a concrete, physical example of that activity — unlike many similar kilns that have collapsed or disappeared, this one survives in good condition. Its setting inside the Sant Llorenç del Munt i l'Obac natural park adds to the appeal, with rocky mountain scenery accompanying visitors along the whole approach.

What can you combine it with?

Since the kiln sits within a network of mountain trails, extending the visit toward nearby viewpoints and rock formations of the massif is a natural choice. It works better as a stop along a longer hiking route than as a destination on its own, so it is worth planning the visit as part of a broader day out in Sant Llorenç del Munt i l'Obac.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the forn d'obra de Can Pobla? It is a former brick and tile kiln built for the Can Pobla farmhouse, still standing today in good condition.

Where is it located? In the municipality of Matadepera, within the Sant Llorenç del Munt i l'Obac massif, in Vallès Occidental.

Can you reach it on foot? Yes, the kiln lies along hiking trails starting from Matadepera, close to other landmarks of the massif such as La Mola and Cavall Bernat.

Is it worth a dedicated trip, or better combined with a longer hike? It is best included as part of a longer hike through the surrounding trails rather than visited on its own, since its appeal comes largely from the landscape and history of the whole massif.