Mas Corts de la Nau

Mas Corts de la Nau is a historic Catalan farmhouse (masia) in Sant Fost de Campsentelles, a small town in the Vallès Oriental region, just a short drive north of Barcelona. This 19th-century building now combines the role of a rural architectural landmark with an active restaurant business, making it one of the rare spots where visitors can admire genuine period architecture while also sitting down for a proper Catalan meal.

How do you get to Mas Corts de la Nau?

Sant Fost de Campsentelles sits right on Barcelona's doorstep, so getting there is straightforward whether you drive or use public transport. From central Barcelona it's roughly a 20-30 minute drive, depending on traffic and the route taken around the ring roads. The farmhouse itself stands on a raised platform that was built to overcome the natural slope of the land — a classic construction solution for Catalan rural estates. If you don't have a car, taking a train or bus to Sant Fost de Campsentelles and then a short taxi ride or walk to the property works well too, since the building sits slightly apart from the town center, along its own access road.

What will you see there?

Mas Corts de la Nau is a rectangular-plan building raised on a large platform that levels out the sloping terrain beneath it, a solution typical of traditional Catalan farm architecture. The structure rises through a ground floor plus three additional floors, giving it a scale that feels almost monumental compared to a typical countryside farmhouse. The roof is covered in characteristic Arab tiles laid across two slopes, and its most recognizable feature is a centrally placed lookout tower crowned with a pyramidal roof — a detail that clearly sets this masia apart from neighboring farmhouses.

A few dozen meters below the main building, closer to the road, stands the era — a traditional threshing floor once used to separate grain from chaff. This modest but historically telling structure sits on slightly elevated ground and can be reached from the path leading to the restaurant, giving visitors a fuller picture of how the old farming estate once operated, from the main residence down to its working areas.

Today the building operates as an elegant restaurant that specializes in weddings and other family celebrations. The interiors have been restored in a style that blends original architectural charm with modern touches, preserving the structural character of the old masia while updating the furnishings and finishes. The venue includes three spacious interior rooms plus an outdoor terrace and gardens, making it a popular choice for outdoor events during the warmer months.

What's the food like?

The kitchen at Mas Corts follows Catalan tradition with creative, contemporary touches — market-driven cuisine built around seasonal, local ingredients. It suits both a formal family lunch and a more relaxed gathering with a countryside atmosphere just outside Barcelona.

When should you visit?

Given how central the gardens and terrace are to the experience, spring and summer are the best times to visit, when the outdoor spaces can be enjoyed to the fullest. If your main interest is the architecture itself — the building's silhouette, the lookout tower, and the Arab-tile roof — the property is worth seeing year-round, since these features are visible from the outside regardless of season.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you visit Mas Corts de la Nau without a reservation? Since the property functions mainly as a restaurant and wedding venue, it's best to contact them ahead of time, especially if your visit involves a meal or attending an event.

How far is Sant Fost de Campsentelles from Barcelona? It's about a 20-30 minute drive from central Barcelona, making this masia a convenient destination for a half-day or day trip outside the city.

What's the most distinctive architectural feature of the building? The centrally positioned lookout tower with its pyramidal roof, combined with the two-sloped roof covered in traditional Arab tiles.

Are there other historic features nearby? Yes, a short distance from the main building, closer to the road, stands the old threshing floor (era), a reminder of the property's agricultural past.