The earliest of Antoni Gaudí’s masterpieces that grace the Barcelona cityscape, Casa Vicens was built between 1883 and 1889 as a private home for a wealthy tile manufacturer. Today, tourists come from all over to see this charming house, tucked away down a narrow street in Gracia to the north of Barcelona’s city centre.
The work of a young Gaudí just out of college, the building bears some of the features that went on to define his style. When first built, the floor space covered 12 metres by 16 metres. It was a striking design that challenged prevailing architectural ideas, with its ornate decoration clashing with the simplicity of its design. Oriental influences are combined with Hispanic and Arabic styles to create a design which is strong in natural elements and contrasts in colour and texture.
When you first set eyes upon the building, you’ll notice the impressive façade. Built mostly in brick, it’s decorated with green and white glazed tiles and flower motifs. The gate meanwhile is adorned with palm tree motifs.
Feast your eyes upon the incredibly intricate detail everywhere you look throughout the building. Everything here is covered in beautiful decoration, all the way down to the blinds and the air vents. Check out the beautiful ironwork on the balcony as well as the eye-catching colours in the tiling.
If visiting the building during the day, you’ll be able to appreciate the detail in all its sunlit splendour. The house is still privately owned, and the residents welcome visitors to come and take photographs – as long as you don’t try to jump the fence! The gift shops at Sagrada Familia and Casa Batllo both sell a book containing beautiful images of the interior of Casa Vicens.
Two minutes on foot from the metro station Fontana and close to Parc Guell, the house can be reached by taking a bus down Avinguda del Princep d’Asturies.
