Casa Benèfica

At a historic time when the public administrations provided no assistance to the destitute, Mayor Pau Estapé i Maristany drove forward the creation of a charity house to help poor ill patients at home, an asylum for the elderly, homeless children and street people.

Part of the funding came from the city hall, although most came from private donations, where merchant Pere Grau Maristany was a major contributor, as well as the monthly fees from the members of the Masnou Charity Society, which was established in 1899.

The main building, designed by Gaietà Buïgas Monravà –creator of Barcelona’s famous Columbus monument–, was built on lands ceded by Josep Maria Malet i Font next to the old cemetery and was opened on 14 September 1902. The creation of this asylum led to the village of Masnou being awarded the title of ‘Charitable Village’ by King Alfonso XIII (1902).

In 1921, the first marquis of Masnou, Romà Fabra i Puig, sponsored the construction of a hospital pavilion for wounded soldiers from the Second Moroccan War.

It continues to be a home for the elderly today, although privately owned, that provides assistance to Masnou residents.