Mas Bellatriu

Mas Bellatriu is a traditional Catalan masia — a rural farmhouse — located in Argentona, in the Maresme region of Barcelona province, Catalonia. The property is also known as Can Bellatriu, and both names refer to the exact same building: "mas" is the formal term for this type of farmhouse, while "can" (short for "casa de") is the everyday, colloquial form still used on local maps and by residents.

What kind of building is this?

Mas Bellatriu belongs to what local heritage catalogues classify as a "group I" typology: a farmhouse formed by several connected structures, each with its own distinct roofline rather than one continuous roof. This layered layout is typical of masies that grew organically over generations, as each owning family added rooms or outbuildings to meet changing farming and living needs, rather than being built to a single unified plan.

How old is the farmhouse?

The heritage catalogue dates the current structure to the 18th century, based on the surviving architectural elements. Interestingly, records connected to the property mention documentation going back as far as 1220, which suggests the land and the family lineage tied to it are considerably older than the building standing today. This pattern is common among Catalan masies: the visible structure is often a later rebuild of a much older rural holding.

Where exactly is Mas Bellatriu?

The farmhouse sits in Veïnat de la Pujada, one of the scattered rural hamlets that make up the municipality of Argentona, next to a stream known locally as the Torrent de Can Bellatriu. Argentona itself lies in the Maresme region, a short drive inland from the Mediterranean coast and not far from Barcelona, making it a convenient stop for travelers exploring the region's interior while based near the sea.

Has anything older than the farmhouse been found nearby?

Yes. The land around Can Bellatriu also carries archaeological interest. While working the fields, the owners came across materials suggesting the possible presence of a Roman-era rural settlement on the site, and fragments dating from the Roman period have also been found reused within the walls of the existing buildings. This kind of secondary reuse of older building material is not unusual in Maresme, a region that was already densely settled in Roman times.

What is Can Bellatriu used for today?

The property today is privately owned and used as a residence, with its conservation reported as good. The same name, Can Bellatriu, is also attached to a fruit and vegetable business at Carrer Gran 50 in Argentona, showing a continuity of agricultural use on the site — the land is still worked commercially, even if in a different form from the days when the masia functioned as the hub of a self-contained farm.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Mas Bellatriu and Can Bellatriu the same place? Yes. Both names describe the same farmhouse in Argentona; the difference is purely linguistic, reflecting the traditional Catalan way of naming rural properties.

Is the building officially protected as heritage? Mas Bellatriu is listed in the local cultural heritage catalogue (catalogue number 08009-293, filed in 2002), but the record does not indicate a higher formal legal protection status beyond that listing.

Can visitors go inside the farmhouse? No, it is a private residence and not open to the public. The only part connected to the name that visitors can access is the fruit and vegetable shop operating under the Can Bellatriu name in central Argentona.

How do you get to Argentona? Argentona is located in the Maresme region of Barcelona province, close to both the coast and the city of Barcelona, and is easily reached by car or regional public transport.