Casa de les Punxes
A house from a medieval fairy tale
The Casa de les Punxes, or Casa Terradas, located on the Modernist route, was declared a historic monument of national interest in 1975. From 2016 to 2020, it housed a museum that was open to the public to disseminate the work and the figure of its architect, Josep Lluís i Cadafalch. At present, it is not available to visit, as the building is private property, with space for different offices and events.
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Why should you visit the Casa de les Punxes from the outside?
Casa de les Punxes, built in 1905, is one of Barcelona’s most original houses. The forms of this house designed by the architect Josep Puig i Cadafalch were inspired by medieval Gothic architecture and, more specifically, Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria, Germany. Occupying a triangular block in the Eixample district, it became known as Casa de les Punxes due to the six punxes or spikes of its towers, located at the intersections of the three streets that surround the building: Avinguda Diagonal, Carrer del Rosselló and Carrer del Bruc.
Its original name is Casa Terradas, given that it was Àngela Brutau, the widow of the entrepreneur Bartomeu Terradas, who commissioned the project to Puig i Cadafalch. Specifically, she wanted three buildings in one, one for each of her daughters: Àngela, Josefa and Rosa. The result was a building that is reminiscent of old medieval castles and combines elements from different architectural currents, such as Gothic architecture with Modernista ornamentation.
The ground floor is built in stone, with the forms of the arches and columns decorated with floral and abstract motifs; while red brick is used for the upper floors.
Craftsmen like Enric Monserdà and Alfons Juyol collaborated on the construction of the decorative elements of this building. The roof, the house’s most majestic element, is dedicated to the architect and his collaborating artists in recognition of their work.
The building was completely restored in 2003. In 2016 it was opened to the public to show one of the main floors and the terraces, which also served as a stage for small-scale shows. Since 2021 it is no longer possible to visit the interior of the building, as it is privately owned and houses a network work centre and also hosts a variety of events.
How do you get to Casa de les Punxes?
Hop off at the Passeig de Gràcia – La Pedrera stop on the Red and Blue Routes of Barcelona Bus Turístic and follow Avinguda Diagonal to the corner of Carrer de Roger de Llúria.
For the most curious of you
- Did you know? On the facade, in the frame of the panel of Saint George, you can see the face of a male figure, with round eyes, a receding hairline and thick lips. It is the architect Josep Puig i Cadafalch.
- Local’s tip: If you have the opportunity to attend one of the private events organised on the rooftop, you'll be able to enjoy some spectacular views of Barcelona.
- A must: To recognise the importance and power of early 20th-century entrepreneurs, who were behind the construction of numerous Modernista buildings like Casa de les Punxes in the heart of the Eixample district.
