Casa de les Punxes

Casa Terrades, also commonly known as Casa de les Punxes, is one of the most emblematic modernist buildings in Barcelona. A feat not so easy to pull, as Barcelona is the city in the world with the largest amount of modernist architecture.

Casa de les Punxes is a highlight in the busy modernist landscape of Barcelona for representing all the aesthetic values of catalan modernism.

A fairy-tale like building in the center of Barcelona you can’t miss.

Modernism, the style that shaped Barcelona

Casa de les Punxes was built by Josep Puig i Cadafalch. He was one of the lead architects of the modernist movement (along with Gaudí and Doménech i Muntaner).

This style took Barcelona by storm in the late 19th and early 20th century.

The modernist style in architecture flourished in Barcelona in part thanks to the blooming bourgeoisie, who had the resources to fund the most outrageous projects in order to show their power and wealth.

The Eixample district became the “it” place to display the new modernist creations. 

Anatomy of Casa de les Punxes

To begin with, the location is pretty singular. It occupies an entire triangular and irregular block in the usually square blocks of the Eixample district. 

The architect was appointed to the project by textile industrialist Bartomeu Terradas i Mont in 1903, who had fathered three sisters: Rosa, Josefa and Angela. 

Finding inspiration in the medieval Neuschwanstein Castle in Germany, the architect came up with a complex of 3 houses, each designed to fit the style and personality of the 3 sisters.

Casa Amatller and other projects

Puig i Cadafalch also built other iconic landmarks in Barcelona such as Els Quatre Gats, an emblematic meeting place for artists and intellectuals in the Belle Epoque.

He also built the Casa Pich i Pon in Plaça Catalunya and most notably Casa Amatller, located right next to Casa Batlló, by rival architect Antoni Gaudí.

Visiting Casa de les Punxes

Sadly, guided visits are no longer possible. The building has been turned into offices and co-working spaces.

When it was open to the public, you could witness the main spaces of the house. These included the foyer, one of the main apartments and the fabulous rooftop.

Unfortunately, the furniture was not kept. However, the original floors and ceilings were restored, as well as lamps, stained glass windows and wrought iron ornaments.

The rooftop terrace

Finally, the visit concluded in the rooftop terrace, one of the most interesting places of the house. Featuring outstanding views of the surroundings, nowadays is only available for private events, conferences and team building activities.

For further inquieries, you can contact them in their official website.

Location 

Address: Diagonal Avenue 420, 08037.
Metro: Diagonal (L5) and Verdaguer (L4 and L5)
Bus: 6, 33 and 34