Mas Montjoi de Baix

Mas Montjoi de Baix is a Catalan masia — a traditional country estate — standing east of the town centre of Roses, in the Montjoi valley, within the Alt Empordà comarca of Catalonia. From the outside it looks like an ordinary rural farmhouse, yet beneath its floors archaeologists have uncovered traces going back to the Visigothic era, making it one of the more unexpected archaeological sites near Roses.

What does the building look like?

The estate consists of a rectangular structure made up of three adjoining sections, arranged around a square defensive tower — a layout typical of fortified Catalan masies built to withstand raids in earlier centuries. The property is listed as a cultural asset of local interest.

What did the excavation uncover?

About six years before 2026, archaeological work began at the site alongside renovation of the farmhouse. The dig, led by archaeologist Marcel Pujol, brought to light the remains of two churches dated to between the 7th and 9th centuries, together with a large water tank divided into three compartments. Burials found around the churches included one grave from the 7th century and two infant burials from the 9th century. Because so little pottery survived on site, the graves were dated using radiocarbon (carbon-14) testing on the human remains themselves.

Which religious complex once stood here?

Historical records had long referred to a monastic complex known as Magrigul at this location, made up of three churches dedicated to Saint Michael the Archangel, the Saviour, and the Virgin Mary. Until the excavation, that complex was known only from documentary sources — the finds at Mas Montjoi de Baix provided the first physical evidence that it really existed. One of the churches shows signs of having been destroyed during the Muslim invasion and was never rebuilt afterwards.

How is Montjoi connected to the nearby Trencada estate?

Records show that the extensive landholdings of the main house at Trencada, also known as Mas d'En Coll, once extended to include the Montjoi estate. That shared ownership explains why identical pieces of farm equipment — used for pressing olives and grapes — turn up at both properties.

Can visitors already explore the site?

For now, the property is not open as a signposted visitor route. Researchers are waiting on a conservation and museum-display plan before the site can be presented to the wider public. Until then, Mas Montjoi de Baix remains primarily an active research site rather than a stop on Roses' tourist map.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where exactly is Mas Montjoi de Baix located? The estate sits east of the town centre of Roses, in the Montjoi valley, within the Alt Empordà comarca of Catalonia.

What was found during the archaeological dig? The remains of two Visigothic-era churches (7th-9th centuries), a three-part water tank, and several burials, including two infant graves.

Does the site connect to a former monastery? Yes — the excavation confirmed the existence of the Magrigul religious complex mentioned in historical documents, made up of three churches.

Is the site open to the public? Not yet as an organised visit — a conservation and museum-display plan is still being prepared.