Modernist castle ‘Casa de les Punxes’ opens to public after 100 years

Barcelona (CNA).- Those who visit the Catalan capital will from now on have another architectural jewel at their disposal. The so-called ‘Casa de les Punxes’ (‘House of Spikes’) opened its doors this Friday for the first time in 100 years. Designed by architect Josep Puig i Cadafalch, together with Antoni Gaudi one of the most outstanding figures of the modernist art movement, the project was completed in 1905. Officially called ‘Casa Terradas’ the building catches the eye of the visitor to the Catalan capital because of its triangular structure, embracing three different streets in Barcelona’s city centre, and also for its conical roofs ending in spikes, which explains its nickname ‘House of Spikes’. Visits to the castle will revolve around three main areas: the building itself, the figure of its architect and the legend of Sant Jordi, Catalonia’s patron Saint, and will show the visitor the ground floor, the main floor – called the ‘noble’ floor – and the roof, designed in a Gothic style.

The ‘Casa de les Punxes’, designed in the shape of a medieval castle, is one of the only buildings in Barcelona which has a triangular structure, embracing three different streets in the city’s centre. It also catches the visitor’s eye because of its conical roofs ending in spikes, which explains its nickname ‘House of Spikes’. The brickwork on the façade blends with the wrought-iron on the balconies designed by Manuel Ballarín, the neo-Gothic style sculptural reliefs by Alfons Juyol, and stained glass windows by Eduard Amigó.The ceramic panels surmounting the façade refer to the patriotic symbols of Catalonia; another example of the nationalism that often imbued Catalan modernism.

Officially called ‘Casa Terradas’, the structure is a residential building. The Terradas sisters owned three buildings standing between the Avinguda Diagonal, and Carrer Rosselló and Carrer Bruc. Josep Puig i Cadafalch were commissioned to redevelop the buildings and linked them together on one site behind a vast brick façade.

One house, two exhibitions

The cultural proposition around the ‘Casa de les Punxes’ offers two different kind of visits. One focuses on the legend of Sant Jordi, who is Catalonia’s patron saint. This exhibition is displayed on the ground floor and explains the relationship between the Sant Jordi legend and the modernist iconography. The tour finishes on the roof where the architect’s life and work is unveiled. This tour costs 12.50 euros.

The second option is the tour ‘Discover the ‘Casa de les Punxes’’, a guided tour which explains the building’s history. Inside each of the house’s spikes, the life of architect Puig i Cadafalch is explained to the visitors. Then, on the ‘noble’ floor, visitors are immersed in the legend of Sant Jordi. This tour is only available for smaller groups of up to 20 people and costs 20 euros.