Can Rigalt: Unraveling the Mystery of a Noble Mansion's origins

Can Rigalt, also known as Can Barnola, is an old masia situated at the intersection of Avinguda de Pi i Margall and Carrer Major in Sant Adrià de Besòs, recognized as a local cultural asset. Today, it is under municipal ownership. Despite initially standing next to the old Mataró road, modern apartment buildings of eight floors now encircle its surroundings. The masia showcases a coat of arms, carved from Montjuïc stone, which was removed in 2001 and reinstated in 2003.

It bears a coat of arms split into two parts: a rampant lion on the upper right and wavy diagonal stripes on the lower left. The coat of arms is crowned with an helm adorned with plumes and surrounded by leaves, signifying the noble lineage of its owners, the Girona family. Can Rigalt is recognized as a traditional Catalan farmhouse, constructed with a ground floor, first floor, and attic. The property was purported to have been built in 1727 when Miquel Rigalt, a Barcelona silver craftsman, purchased it from the co-heirs of Francesc Gener, the grandfather of his first wife Mònica Clavera i Gener. However, the exact construction year remains unclear.

The property was then passed down through the generations, with Francesca Rigalt i Clavera marrying Joan de Girona i Comas, and their son Miquel de Girona i Rigalt marrying Eulàlia Augirot i de Nadal. The property was eventually inherited by their descendants, who owned Can Rigalt until the early 21st century. A garden with a palm tree and other trees is located between the entrance and the house at Can Rigalt, adding a touch of greenery to the urban surroundings.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons