Visit Casa de les Punxes breaks with all architectural conventions.
It's a clever cross between Neuschwanstein Castle and a medieval castle.
In this article, I tell you all about this place.
I'll share all its secrets with you, along with practical information on how to visit it.
Follow the guide!
Casa de les Punxes: article summary
The incredible story of Casa de les Punxes
Bartomeu Terradas i Mont was born in Figueras in 1846 and was a well-known Barcelona textile merchant. He grew rich through a flourishing overseas trade in Catalan-produced textiles. As a result, his family belonged to Barcelona's well-to-do middle class. The family had a total of four children: the three daughters Rosa, Josefa and Àngela and son Bartomeu.
Patriarch Terradas i Mont was always concerned about the welfare of the female members of his family, which was unusual in those days. After his death in 1901, he left a considerable sum of money, which was divided between his wife and four children. From these bequests, a building for the three daughters was financed and constructed: Casa de les Punxes.
One of Josep Puig I Cadafalch's projects
In 1903, Bartomeu Terradas Brutau's son took over the project to build the house. He commissioned his friend and architect Josep Puig i Cadafalch to draw up a first draft. The building, straight out of a fairy tale, was built between 1903 and 1905 to the modernist architect's plans. In 1975, it has been declared a historic monument.
It is currently privately owned and offers space for a variety of offices and a venue for tours and events. After extensive restoration work, the Casa de les Punxes opens to the public for the first time since 2016.
Understanding the architect's work
Unlike the rest of the l'EixampleThe building was planned on a triangular plot of land. The new design was inspired by Otto Wagner's Northern European movement: a six-cornered block, coinciding with the intersection of the three surrounding streets, Avinguda Diagonal, Carrer Rosselló and Carrer Bruc.
La maison a six tours qui
convergent coniquement et se terminent par des pics en forme d’aiguilles. D’où le nom « Casa de les Punxes » ou « Maison des Aiguilles ».Architect Puig i Cadafalch wanted the building to be considered structurally as a whole. Inside, however, the building should reflect the different characters of the three owners. On the façade, for example, there's a plastic panel depicting an angel. This symbol refers to Àngela Terradas' daughter. Other decorative details reminiscent of the owners appear in the anagrams that wrap around the base of the tower like a border and feature the letters ATB, referring to Àngela Terrada's Brutau.
Unusual decoration in Barcelona
A selection of shamrocks also stand out in the stone carvings of this home dotted with floral decorations. There's a sundial and a calendar with Roman numerals, which simultaneously represent the four signs of the zodiac Capricorn for winter, Aries for spring, Cancer for summer, Libra for autumn. At the top of the dial is the inscription: "Numquam te crastina falls hora", meaning "All in good time".
The story of St. George is depicted on another ceramic panel. You can see Georg or in Catalan Sant Jordiwho is about to slay the dragon. Below, in bold type: "Patron Saint of Catalonia, give us back our freedom".
On the Avenida Diagonal and Calle Bruc façades, we find two other ceramic panels. A vase full of roses, with the initials RTB and, on the other side, the figure of a young girl surrounded by roses. This farmhouse was for Sister Rosa Terradas Brutau. Other parts of the façade are decorated with male figures, some with horns, others with more specific physiognomies.
Finally, other elements such as sail knots, used to represent maritime power, are clearly recognizable. As are recurring elements such as apples, pomegranates, daisies, roses and clovers.
How do I get there?
To get there, you can borrow :
- Subway on the way out at Diagonal (L3, L5) or Verdaguer (L4, L5) stations
What are the opening hours for Casa de Les Punxes in Barcelona?
For the time being, Casa de les Punxes can no longer be visited. However, you can still enjoy the magnificent exteriors. They make perfect backdrops for your photos. You can also visit the café at the foot of the building. It opens :
- Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
La casa de les Punxes is not a must-see on your first visit to Barcelona. However, if you want to enjoy a little peace and quiet on your next visit to Barcelona, I can't recommend this place enough!
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