Just a few metres from the Passeig de Gràcia rises Casa Comalat.
For many Barcelonians, this particular building is unknown in the city's modernist panorama, even though it is one of the buildings included in the Route of Modernism.
Today, I'd like to introduce you to this place.
Casa Comalat: article summary
What is the history of Casa Comalat?
Built between 1906 and 1911, Casa Comalat was commissioned by Mr. Comalat, a loan shark of the time who, like other contemporary bourgeois, wanted his home is a faithful reflection of its economic power. The project was commissioned to Salvador Valeri i Pupurull, a modernist architect strongly influenced by the work of Gaudí.
Discover the two facades of Casa Comalat
One of the most striking features of Casa Comalat is its location between two streets, it has two fronts. Despite the fact that both share the same architectural style, there are significant differences between them.
The façade of the building, which faces Avenida Diagonal, features the usual curved lines and decorative details typical of Modernism. Organic shapes and large balconies stand out. Despite these elements, the Casa Comalat facade exudes a sobriety that has nothing to do with modernism. what the rear façade of Calle Córcega conveys.
The Calle Córcega facade is an excellent counterpoint to the Avenida Diagonal facade. As a result, the curved forms are much more accentuated and the facade is much more colorful. Much of this color is the result of the use of polychrome ceramics combined with its striking green shutters, who are responsible for covering the wooden galleries.
A similarity with Gaudi's work
The fact that many people find reasonable similarities between various details of the Casa Comalat and those seen in some of Antoni Gaudí's works is due to the fact that many of the elements have a more than obvious similarity. The glazed ceramic roof that crowns the building closely resembles the dragon scales on the upper part of the Casa Batlló.
Despite the reform of the Córcega street façade in 2009, which brought it back to its former glory, Casa Comalat is one of the Modernist buildings that has undergone the fewest modifications and alterations. As a result, both its facade and interior preserve the original appearance of this building with over 100 years of history.
Inside the building and tours of Casa Comalat
The building's exterior is often reminiscent of Gaudí's work. However, the same cannot be said of the interior. The spirit of modernism really shines through. It is so overloaded that it sometimes reminds us of baroque or even rococo. Without a doubt, it's a counterpoint to other modernist buildings, which despite a decoration filled with detail and color, are not as numerous or ornate.
Is it possible to visit the interior of Casa Comalat?
Given the beauty of its façade, many tourists are keen to visit the interior of Casa Comalat. Unfortunately, as it is a private residence, with apartments and offices, it cannot be visited.
Inside, the enduring decorative use of ceramics stands out on walls and ceilings, as well as in common areas and private quarters. There's also the presence of a large number of silkscreen prints, relief ceilings and fantastically colorful stained-glass windows.
Wood is also the protagonist inside the building, particularly in the hall, where in addition to having various ornamental wooden elements and details, there is an authentic bench dating back to the early XIXᵉ century. It is the only bench of this style currently to be found in the lobby of a modernist building.
How do I get there?
Located next to the Casa Mila and Casa BatlloIt's easy to get there. All you have to do is take :
- Take the metro and get out at Diagonal station (lines 3 and 5)
- the bust thanks to lines 6, 22, 24, 33, 34, H8, N4, N5, V17
You can also walk from the Passeig de Gràcia just a few metres away.
Casa Comalat may not be a tourist attraction in the strict sense of the term, but its facades will introduce you to another era of Catalan modernism. You'll be able to enjoy your visit from the outside take a few photos to immortalize the place.
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