A masia (Catalan pronunciation: [məˈzi.ə], plural masies; Aragonese: pardina, also known as mas in Catalan and Occitan (pronounced: [ˈmas])), is a type of rural construction common to the Catalan Countries, particularly in the Principality of Catalonia during the ancient Crown of Aragon which have their origins in the Roman villas. They are often large but isolated structures, nearly always associated with a family farming or livestock operation. Occasionally, masies include an annexed private chapel.