Casa Vicens, a jewel of architecture in Barcelona

If you’re an architecture buff, it’s very likely that Barcelona is rated pretty high amongst your top dream destinations. Besides having great weather, kind people, and flavorful gastronomic traditions, the capital of Catalonia is also known around the world for its historical buildings of enormous artistic and cultural relevance.

Related article: The old and the new: Barcelona’s most stunning architecture

Antoni Gaudí’s first house

Photo by Jaume Meneses via Wikimedia Commons

Amongst the many notable buildings you’ll find in Barcelona are several works by a creative genius by the name of Antoni Gaudí. Casa Vicens, a UNESCO World Heritage site was the first house ever designed by this Spanish legend. Although it is generally considered one of the oldest examples of Art Nouveau in Barcelona, that definition might be a little too broad – Casa Vicens is above all a showcase of Gaudí’s unique visual language. Mixing together several different schools of architecture and diverse types of materials, he managed to not only realize his impressively original vision but to also change the history of Catalan architecture and kickstart his own immortal legacy.

The history of Casa Vicens

This historical Barcelona building takes its name from Manuel Vicens i Montaner, a brick and tile factory owner who owned the land in which it stands. In 1877, he hired Gaudí to design Casa Vicens. The plans were eventually finished in 1883, with construction starting in the same year.  The house was later renovated in 1925 by architect Juan Sierra de Martinez, who not only followed Gaudí’s style but also obtained his personal approval. More recently, in the beginning of the 21st century, Casa Vicens was once again restored, this time under the guidance of Ignacio Herrero Jover.

Related article: Casa Museu Gaudí in Barcelona

Visiting Casa Vicens

Photo by iShot71 via Visualhunt

Unfortunately, Casa Vicens is a private building and isn’t open to the public. But that shouldn’t stop you from marveling at its beauty from the outside. If you are visiting Barcelona, make sure you find your way to Carrer de les Carolines, 24, where you’ll be able to admire the building’s vibrant colours and the surprisingly effortless harmony between different materials – iron, concrete, glass and ceramic tiles all come together to create a whole of timeless beauty capable of waking up anyone’s sense of wonder. You can get there easily by either subway (green line/L3, exit on Fontana) or bus (numbers 22, 24, 27, 32, 87, 92, 114 and V17).

Will you make some time to see Casa Vicens during your visit or stay in Barcelona? Let us know using the comment box below.

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