Mas Ram

Mas Ram is a historic manor-and-tower estate in Tiana, a hillside town in the Maresme region less than 15 km from Barcelona. The name covers both the original farmhouse first recorded in the 14th century and the exclusive residential development that later grew up around it, spreading into neighboring Badalona.

Where does the name come from and what happened here?

The estate began as a masia belonging to the Ram family, who gave it their name. In the 15th century ownership passed to the Carthusian monks of Montalegre, who held it until Spain's church-property disentailment of 1836, when Barcelona merchant Rafael Sabadell i Barnús acquired it. His granddaughter, Montserrat Sabadell i Ferrando, and her husband Enric Parellada i Pallàs commissioned a major remodel in 1913 from architect Enric Sagnier i Villavecchia, a leading figure of Catalan modernisme with several notable buildings in Barcelona to his name. That commission gave the old farmhouse its present palatial look. Between 1965 and 1967 architect Enric Giralt i Ortet enlarged the building further, and since 1968 it has served as one of the campuses of the Garbí school, founded by educator Pere Vergés i Farrés. The surrounding land was parceled out as a private housing development in the late 1960s, though it wasn't formally recognized as its own neighborhood until 1980.

What is there to see at Mas Ram?

The centerpiece is the tower itself, the Torre del Mas Ram, along with the adjoining Casa dels Guardes (the old gatekeeper's house) and a stone bridge on the grounds — all three listed in Catalonia's cultural heritage inventory. History buffs will find an extra layer here: excavation work in 2008 uncovered remains of a Roman-era villa nearby, including opus signinum flooring and wall fragments buried roughly two meters underground, close to the Turó de l'Arbret hill. The site is now covered by tennis courts and is partially destroyed, so it can't be visited directly, but it confirms the area was settled long before the medieval masia existed. Beyond the historic buildings, the development itself is a leafy, well-kept residential enclave with orchards, woodland, tennis and paddle courts, and swimming pools, close to the golf courses and equestrian centers the Maresme is known for.

How do you get to Mas Ram?

Tiana sits roughly 15 kilometers northeast of central Barcelona. Driving is the most convenient option, usually taking 20 to 25 minutes depending on traffic. Alternatively, take a Rodalies train to Montgat or Badalona and continue by local bus toward Tiana. Keep in mind that most of Mas Ram is private property — home to a school and residential houses — so visits are limited to walking the public streets of the development and admiring the architecture from outside.

When is the best time to visit?

Given its green, residential character, spring and autumn are the most pleasant seasons for a walk, with mild temperatures and lush surroundings. Summer brings heat and crowded beaches to the Maresme coast, but Mas Ram itself, set back from the shore, stays quiet year-round.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you go inside the Mas Ram building? No. The building currently houses the Garbí school and private residences, so the interior is not open to visitors. You can, however, view the tower and bridge from outside while walking through the development.

Are the Roman ruins at Mas Ram open to the public? The Roman villa remains found in 2008 sit beneath the tennis courts and are not accessible to tourists, but they confirm the site was inhabited well before the medieval farmhouse was built.

What makes Mas Ram different from the rest of Tiana? It's an exclusive, green residential district built around a 14th-century farmhouse, with its own architectural history tied to Sagnier's modernisme renovation, distinct from Tiana's historic village center.

What's the fastest way to get there from Barcelona? By car along the coastal route in about 20 to 25 minutes, or by train to Montgat or Badalona followed by a local bus.