History
Castelldaura is a property located in Premià de Dalt, a small town in the Maresme region of Catalonia, to the north of Barcelona. The main building, “La Torre”, of Neoclassical structure, was built in the 19th century. A second, newer building was built later and is known as “El Mas”. Looking out to sea, the property has spacious green areas with sports facilities and several gardens that display characteristics of ‘Indiano’, Italian and French inspiration.
Uninterruptedly since 1955, Castelldaura has been providing cultural and Christian formation activities to a great many people who have benefited from them. These activities are entrusted to the pastoral care of the Prelature of Opus Dei, an institution of the Catholic Church, founded by Saint Josemaría Escrivá. The activities have been managed by the “Associació Agrupació Cultural Dosrius” since its creation in 1986.
Over the years, both Saint Josemaría and Blessed Álvaro Del Portillo spent time in Castelldaura, where many people had a chance to meet them.
Visits by Saint Josemaría and Blessed Álvaro
17.IX.1962
Saint Josemaría’s first visit to Castelldaura was on his way to France from Pamplona and Zaragoza. He visited the construction works currently underway at El Mas and had a get-together with people at La Torre.
5-10.X.1966
Saint Josemaría stayed at Castelldaura on the occasion of being awarded the dignity of Adoptive Son of the City of Barcelona. On the 6th he consecrated the altar of El Mas. He liked the Catalan architectural style and decoration of the new house, and made a number of suggestions to help improve the facilities.
2-5.V.1969
Saint Josemaría stayed at Castelldaura, where he spent the weekend before moving on to France. He met with people of Opus Dei.
20-30.XI.1972
Saint Josemaría stayed at Castelldaura. He had been touring the Iberian peninsula having meetings with people of all kinds talking about the Christian faith. From Castelldaura he travelled to Barcelona, Sant Cugat and Girona, to meet with people from all walks of life. From there he travelled back to Rome.
2-29.IX.1973
Saint Josemaría is in Castelldaura to accompany Álvaro del Portillo, who had been operated on in Barcelona and convalesced in Castelldaura.
12-30.IX.1974
Last stay of Saint Josemaría in Castelldaura where he recovered from an exhausting trip to Latin America over that summer. Saint Josemaría died on 26 June 1975 and was canonised on 6 October 2002.
16-18.IV.1982
Blessed Álvaro del Portillo, the first successor of Saint Josemaría, stayed in Castelldaura on his return journey from Torreciudad and Zaragoza. He stopped in Castelldaura before taking the plane for Rome.
11-12.IX.1983
Blessed Álvaro del Portillo stayed at Castelldaura on his way to France.
16-21.V.1989
Blessed Álvaro stayed in Castelldaura during a longer stay in Catalonia where he met with faithful of the Prelature, co-operators and friends. He held a number of meetings in Barcelona and a large get-together in Sant Cugat with 20,000 people from all over Catalonia.
15-18.XI.1993
Blessed Álvaro’s last stay in Castelldaura. On this occasion he was travelling from Rome on his way to Madrid and Andalusia. Álvaro del Portillo died in March 1994 and was beatified on 27 September 2014. His canonisation process is currently underway.