Casa Amatller
Defying the status quo
Casa Amatller, designed by Josep Puig i Cadafalch, is an original combination of the Modernista and neo-Gothic styles. It is the first Modernista remodelling of an existing building undertaken on Passeig de Gràcia. Casa Amatller belongs to Puig i Cadafalch’s Modernista period, which also includes Palau Macaya and Casa de les Punxes.
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Why visit Casa Amatller?
The origins of Casa Amatller date back to the end of the 19th century when the successful chocolate magnate Antoni Amatller commissioned the remodelling of an 1845 building to the politician and architect Josep Puig i Cadafalch, who collaborated with other Modernista artists such as the sculptors Eusebi Arnau and Alfons Juyol. The work was completed in 1900.
The basic style of Casa Amatller is a mixture of Catalan Gothic palaces and Dutch urban mansions. A clear example of its Flemish inspiration is the triangular shape of the top of the facade. Close examination also reveals two asymmetric doors linked by a sculpture of Saint George engaged in battle with the dragon by Eusebi Arnau.
Upon Antoni Amatller’s death, his daughter created the Institut Amatller d’Art Hispànic, using the house to exhibit its world-renowned collection of photographs specialising in Hispanic art.
Although only the entrance and the main floor are open to the public you can get an idea of how a Catalan haut-bourgeois family lived in the early 20th century.
How do you get to Casa Amatller?
Hop off at the Casa Batlló – Fundació Antoni Tàpies stop on the Blue and Red Routes of Barcelona Bus Turístic.
For the most curious of you
- Did you know? The building is located on the ‘Illa de la Discòrdia’ or Block of Discord, so called due to the contrasting styles evident in its three Modernista buildings designed by Barcelona’s three most important architects of the Modernisme movement: Casa Batlló by Gaudí, Casa Amatller by Puig i Cadafalch, and Casa Lleó i Morera by Domènech i Montaner.
- Local’s tip: If you like chocolate, visit the Amatller shop on the ground floor, where you can buy a wide variety of chocolates and enjoy a mug of hot chocolate made according to the original Amatller family recipe.
- A must: For anyone with an interest in architecture, Modernisme, the history of the city… and chocolate!
