Vil·la romana de Cal Ros de les Cabres

Vil·la romana de Cal Ros de les Cabres is a Roman archaeological site in the Ocata neighborhood of El Masnou, on the Maresme coast just north of Barcelona. The site holds local cultural interest asset status and stands at Carrer Jaume I 117.

What is this site?

These are the remains of a Roman villa that operated as a production center for wine and ceramics. The villa was built in the 2nd century BC and remained in use continuously until the late Roman Empire, disappearing only in the 5th century AD. Its period of greatest splendor came in the 2nd century AD.

What did the villa look like?

The site is divided into two areas. One is the residential part, where archaeologists uncovered mosaics and stuccoed walls. The other is the working part of the estate, given over to workshops and storage for agricultural output — it included a kiln for firing amphorae, storage deposits, spaces for dolia (large containers used for wine and oil), and refuse dumps that today give archaeologists valuable clues about everyday life at the villa.

When and how was it discovered?

The site was discovered in 1899. The landowner, Thomas Morrison Smith — a British citizen settled in Catalonia for business reasons — came across a polychrome mosaic, walls, and abundant ceramic fragments. From that point on, archaeological work at the site proceeded sporadically and unevenly, which is common for sites found on private land.

A key moment in the site's research history came in 1946, when archaeologist Josep Serra Ràfols uncovered a large mosaic there. That mosaic did not stay at the site — it is now held in the Museum of Archaeology of Catalonia (MAC).

How to get there?

Cal Ros de les Cabres sits in the Ocata neighborhood of El Masnou, at Carrer Jaume I 117. El Masnou is a town on the Maresme coast in Barcelona province. Because this is an archaeological remnant within a built-up residential area, it is worth checking current access information before visiting, as how much of the ruins is open to the public can change.

What is there to see?

On site, visitors can see the remains of the walls and the overall layout of the villa, including both the residential and working sections. Anyone hoping to see the site's most famous mosaic should know that the large mosaic uncovered in 1946 is not displayed at the site itself — it is kept at the Museum of Archaeology of Catalonia.

When to visit?

As an open-air archaeological site, Cal Ros de les Cabres can be visited year-round. The Maresme coast has a mild Mediterranean climate, which makes spring and autumn generally the most comfortable seasons for exploring the area on foot, away from the summer crowds.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was Cal Ros de les Cabres? A Roman villa that functioned as a production center for wine and ceramics from the 2nd century BC to the 5th century AD.

When was the site discovered? In 1899, when landowner Thomas Morrison Smith found a mosaic, walls, and ceramics on his property.

Where is the mosaic found in 1946 now kept? The large mosaic uncovered by archaeologist Josep Serra Ràfols is held at the Museum of Archaeology of Catalonia.

Exactly where is the site located? In the Ocata neighborhood of El Masnou, at Carrer Jaume I 117, on the Maresme coast near Barcelona.