MAS CLARELLA en - Clarella

MAS CLARELLA

A hundreds-year-old country house that has passed through periods marked by wars, natural disasters, periods of decadence, reforms and restorations. It is a building steeped in a rich and tumultuous history. For more than ten centuries, the Clarella family resided within its walls, from the early 10th century to the late 20th century. Today, this magnificent country house is experiencing one of its most glorious times. After a meticulous restoration that has preserved and honoured its longstanding history, together with the revitalisation of the old vine cultivations that have prospered on their lands for millenniums, Mas Clarella is more alive than ever. It provides work for the region’s inhabitants and invites both locals and visitors to submerge themselves into its intrepid history, its exquisite wines and the untiring dedication of those who make every effort to restore the greatness of this venerable property.

Origin and Transformations

At the end of the 9th century, between the eroded granite sierras that embrace the picturesque village of Santa Maria de Besora, the structure that would soon be the first Mas Pujolons was erected. The surrounding woods were cut down to open the way to the first cultivated plots, which then gave life to the first fields of wheat, barley and vines. It was the monks of the parish of Santa Maria and the counts of the castle of Besora who, in 1245, praised the prominence of the country house in the first historic documents that refer to it, while also underlining the influence of the family that occupied it.

However, the passing of time was not kind to its original structure, and there have been many transformations over the centuries. Little remains today of the original building. The most important transformation took place in 1657, a period of abundance and expansion that witnessed a majestic enlargement that doubled the living space and transformed the original square ground plan into a new structure with an imposing central dome, covered and illuminated. The rooms of the house were also enlarged and a large surrounding stable was added. These latter works on the property are attributed to Josep Morató, master of works and architect of the lineage of Arnau Maraut, a renowned family of architects and sculptors from French Bearn established in Catalonia.

The second major transformation occurred in 1846, with an extension and reconstruction of the tenant farmer’s home, while the upper floor of the main house was reconverted into a primary school. In 1892 a chapel was added and a large courtyard placed alongside the plot, testimonies to the importance that Mas Clarella had achieved in the regional context.

Recently, Brad and Teresa, with great care and meticulousness, have undertaken a complete rehabilitation of Mas Clarella, thanks to which they have returned its lost majesty and they have preserved the millenary history. Today there are guided visits.

In the upper photo, we can see the entrance, where a wrought-iron grapevine, work of Enric Pla Montferrer, blacksmith of the basilica of the Sagrada Familia, provides the welcome to the country house.

THE PORTICO AND THE DOORKNOCKER

In the 15th century, a devastating earthquake shook Catalonia, unleashed on the day of Candlemas, the 2nd of February 1428, causing hundreds of deaths across the region. Houses and churches were swallowed up by the earth on a desolating day.

Because of the tragedy, like many other families, the Pujolons had to rebuild part of their country house. Shortly after, this property would be named as Mas Clarella, following the joining together of the eldest daughter of the Pujolons family and Jaume Clarella, a labourer who had the full trust of the owners.

Nevertheless, the first significant transformation of the building’s structure took place in the mid-17th century. For the Clarella family, this was a period of great productivity. In 1657, with this Increase in production, the size of country house also tripled.

Today, among all the wines produced in the bodega of Mas Clarella, one of the distinguished varieties is the Riesling. The label of the wine shows the doorknocker of the front door that opens facing south. This element of wrought iron, which has been used to request entry to the country house for over three centuries, today illustrates one of the wines that tell of the greatness of Mas Clarella.

The Arches

Throughout the centuries, the human essence has remained imprinted on each stone and in every corner of the lands and walls of Mas Clarella; from the meticulously lined-up terraces that embrace its surroundings. Here they have cultivated cereals, vines and olive trees for generations, to the elegant details of the illuminations, arches and portals that have protected and sheltered the generations of people that have lived there.

In 1892, a chapel was built dedicated to the Mare de Déu del Roser, attached to the main building and with direct access from the home itself, blessed by the Archbishop of Rome. Access to this sanctuary was via a terrace of beautiful arches that led to the interior of the house.

Today, these same arches, as an emblem of the beauty that embodies Mas Clarella, accompany one of the most exquisite wines produced in this corner of the world: the pinot noir, a variety of French origin. This red wine invites us to admire the sweet panoramas that one contemplates from its arches, to recall the moments of peace and quiet that so many have enjoyed from this viewpoint, and to recognise the spiritual refuge that the chapel of Roser has provided over the years. In the late eighties, the Barrado family crowned this sanctuary with a bell tower, which today stands majestically above the chapel.

1 – Mas Clarella

2 – Capella del Roser

3 – Masoveria

4 – Celler

5 – Camp de la Font

6 – Camp Estret

7 – Camp del Molí

8 – Camp del Brau

9 – Camp del Bosc

10 – Camp del Riu

11 – Oliveres

12 – Masos

MAS CLARELLA

Origin and Transformations

THE PORTICO AND THE DOORKNOCKER

The Arches

CLARELLA

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