Mas de l'Espasa

Mas de l'Espasa

Mas de l'Espasa is a site in the municipality of Calafell, in the Baix Penedès comarca of Tarragona province, Catalonia, that layers two different stories on top of one another: a prehistoric archaeological site and a now-abandoned farmhouse that gave the site its name. The coordinates are 41.211558 N, 1.586827 E, and the site itself sits above the Montpaó stream (Torrent de Montpaó).

What exactly is Mas de l'Espasa?

It is really two connected things in one spot: a jaciment arqueològic (archaeological site) and a masia — a traditional Catalan farmhouse — on whose land the site was found. The name "Mas de l'Espasa," literally "the Farmhouse of the Sword," comes from the building itself rather than from anything unearthed at the archaeological site.

Where does the name "Espasa" come from?

The old farmhouse has a distinctive arched doorway, and carved into its keystone is a small sword (espasa in Catalan). That single carved detail is what gave the whole farmstead its name, and over time it was extended to the neighbouring archaeological site as well.

What has been found at the archaeological site?

Surface surveys, rather than formal excavation, have turned up flint tools and pottery fragments. Most of the material points to the Middle Paleolithic, though some finds suggest later Epipaleolithic and Neolithic activity too. That spread implies people made use of the land around the Montpaó stream over an extremely long stretch of time, from tens of thousands of years ago through to the earliest farming communities in this part of Catalonia.

What is known about the building's history?

The farmhouse has a rectangular floor plan and a two-pitched roof with its ridge running parallel to the main façade — a fairly standard layout for a Catalan masia. The earliest written reference to the building dates to 1765, though the structure itself may well be older. Building work is also recorded from the 1930s. Today Mas de l'Espasa stands near the entrance to the Mas Romeu development, one of Calafell's residential neighbourhoods.

Is the site protected?

Yes. It is listed in the Inventory of Archaeological and Palaeontological Heritage of Catalonia under reference IPAPC 6817, and since 5 May 2011 it has held the status of Bé Cultural d'Interès Local (Cultural Asset of Local Interest) — the highest level of heritage protection available at the municipal level in Catalonia.

Can you visit?

The farmhouse itself is currently abandoned and in poor structural condition, with available sources noting it is in urgent need of restoration work. There is no visitor infrastructure or marked interpretive trail here; it is a point of interest for people curious about the local history and archaeology of the Baix Penedès rather than a standard stop on a Calafell sightseeing route. It is still worth knowing about for anyone spending more time in the area and looking beyond the beach and town centre.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Mas de l'Espasa? A combined archaeological site and abandoned farmhouse in the municipality of Calafell, sitting above the Montpaó stream.

Where does the name come from? From a small sword (espasa) carved into the keystone of the old farmhouse's arched doorway.

What was found at the site? Flint tools and pottery fragments from the Middle Paleolithic, with later Epipaleolithic and Neolithic phases also represented.

Is the building protected as heritage? Yes, it has held Bé Cultural d'Interès Local status since 2011 and is listed in Catalonia's archaeological heritage inventory under reference IPAPC 6817.

Can it be visited? There is no organised tourist infrastructure — the farmhouse is abandoned and deteriorated, and the site mainly appeals to those interested in the area's history and archaeology.