Name: Casa Vicens Gaudí
Address: Carrer de les Carolines, 20-26, 08012 Barcelona, Spain
Telephone: 932 71 10 64
Rating: 4.6

Grand 4-floor house, designed by Antoni Gaudi, with Moorish influences & a protruding corner tower.

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Antoni Gaudí, the architect of Casa Vicens, drew heavily from nature for his designs. A carnation from the estate inspired the façade tiles, while a palm tree leaf influenced the outer gate.

Gaudí's Inspiration

The façade of Casa Vicens features three inscriptions in Catalan, each referencing a different direction the house faces. They are: 'Sun, little sun, come and see me', 'From the hearth, the fire of love lives', and 'Oh! The shadow of summer'.

Façade Inscriptions

Gaudí ingeniously used hexagonal distributors between rooms, eliminating the need for hallways while maintaining easy movement throughout the house.

Hallway-Free Design

If you're a MoraBanc cardholder, you can enjoy a 25% discount on your Casa Vicens ticket when purchased through a specific link.

MoraBanc Cardholder Discount

Casa Vicens is part of a group of seven buildings designed by Antoni Gaudí in Barcelona that are recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

World Heritage Site

Casa Vicens Gaudí

Casa Vicens, Antoni Gaudí's earliest major commission, stands apart from his later, more fluid works. Its striking facade is a vibrant tapestry of green and white ceramic tiles, meticulously arranged in a checkerboard pattern inspired by the marigolds that once grew abundantly on the property. This initial foray into architectural design showcases Gaudí's fascination with Orientalism, evident in the Moorish-inspired smoking room with its intricate muqarnas ceiling and vibrant color palette. The house also marks the beginning of Gaudí's exploration of trencadís, a mosaic technique using broken tile shards, though here it is more restrained than in his later masterpieces. Interestingly, Casa Vicens predates Gaudí's more famous organic forms; its structure is predominantly angular, reflecting the architectural trends of the time while hinting at the innovative genius to come. The ironwork, particularly the gate, is another distinctive feature, showcasing Gaudí's early mastery of this craft.

Introduction

Casa Vicens, Antoni Gaudí’s first major house, stands as a pivotal work in his career, showcasing his innovative design philosophy and marking the early stages of the Modernist movement in Catalunya. Constructed between 1883 and 1885, the building diverges from traditional Catalan architectural styles, introducing a fresh aesthetic that captivated audiences. Gaudí's early exploration of vibrant colors, intricate tile work, and organic forms are evident throughout the house, reflecting a unique blend of Gothic, Moorish, and Oriental influences.

Commissioned by Manuel Vicens i Montaner as a summer residence, Casa Vicens demonstrates Gaudí's emphasis on harmony between the structure and its natural surroundings, utilizing ceramic tiles and botanical motifs to enhance the building’s aesthetic appeal. The interplay of light and shadow, coupled with innovative materials, became defining characteristics of Gaudí’s original work. The house features a unique layout that integrates outdoor spaces with the interior, enhancing the living experience.

The building's walls and ceilings have been painted with new colors, while gardens and water features have been relocated. Restorers have removed layers of paint to reveal Gaudí’s original blue-green color scheme in the smoking room, and the three-dimensional papier-mâché reliefs on the ceilings and walls have been repaired and restored to their original state. The restoration of Casa Vicens aimed to restore Gaudí’s original design, using original photographs and historical records to guide the process.

Antoni Gaudí's Early Masterpiece

Casa Vicens, Antoni Gaudí’s early masterpiece, vividly showcases the Orientalist architectural style through its design and decorative elements. Constructed between 1883 and 1885, the building reflects influences from the Near and Far East, including India, Persia, and Japan, alongside Hispanic Islamic art like Mudéjar and Nasrid styles. This is evident in Gaudí's abundant use of ceramic tiling, Moorish arches, and temple or dome-shaped finishes, creating an exotic aesthetic.

The incorporation of Neo-Mudéjar details, which blend Islamic and Gothic architectural elements, is particularly notable in the pointed and horseshoe arches, as well as the decorative brickwork found throughout the building. Geometric patterns and colorful tiles, typical of Orientalist design, further enhance the "Moorish palace" feel, distinguishing Casa Vicens as a unique architectural statement. Gaudí's study of Neo-Mudéjar art, influenced by Owen Jones's works on the Alhambra and ornamental grammar, deeply informed his approach.

Casa Vicens marks Gaudí's initial exploration of an architectural language that favors straight lines over curves, aligning with the constructive simplicity characteristic of oriental art during his early career. The building stands as a testament to Gaudí's innovative approach, blending diverse cultural inspirations into a cohesive and visually striking design.

Orientalist Architectural Style

Casa Vicens, Antoni Gaudí’s inaugural architectural project, underwent significant renovations, reflecting its evolving purpose and the changing architectural landscape. Originally commissioned as a summer residence for Manuel Vicens i Montaner in 1883, the house showcases Gaudí's early architectural style, blending Neo-Mudéjar elements with Oriental and Catalan influences. The initial design featured a more extensive garden, which, although reduced in size over time, still maintains the essence of Gaudí's vision, connecting the interior with Mediterranean flora.

Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005, Casa Vicens has been subject to careful preservation and conservation efforts to maintain its authenticity. These efforts have focused on restoring and protecting its unique architectural features, such as the vibrant ceramic tiles, intricate designs, and the Turkish-style smoking room, which exemplifies Gaudí's fascination with oriental design. The renovations have ensured the survival of the three-dimensional pressed cardboard figures and other decorative elements, allowing visitors to appreciate Gaudí's creativity.

The transformation of Casa Vicens into a house museum has necessitated adaptations to accommodate visitors while preserving the building's historical integrity. The inclusion of a café and gift shop, along with the La Capell bookshop in the Catalan vaults, represents a modern adaptation that enhances the visitor experience without compromising the original design. These renovations highlight the ongoing effort to balance preservation with functionality, ensuring that Casa Vicens remains a testament to Gaudí's architectural genius for future generations.

Casa Vicens's Evolution Through Renovations

Casa Vicens exemplifies Gaudí's pioneering approach to integrating nature into architectural design, a practice uncommon during his time. Gaudí drew inspiration from the Mediterranean flora, incorporating flowers and plants into the building's design. The facade features brightly colored ceramic tiles depicting natural elements like palm leaves, sunflowers, and clover motifs, handcrafted by local artisans using the trencadís technique. This method allowed for design flexibility, shaping tiles individually to fit curves and angles, enabling unique forms not achievable with traditional materials.

The garden was designed with vibrant colors and diverse plant life, emphasizing local species such as palm trees and jasmine bushes to harmonize with the architecture. Winding pathways, reminiscent of traditional Spanish gardens, are adorned with colorful tiles and patterns. Water elements like fountains, ponds, and waterfalls enhance the garden's aesthetic appeal and cool the space, creating a tranquil atmosphere.

Floral motifs throughout the building symbolize life and growth, while palm leaf designs in the entrance gate signify strength and resilience. Gaudí's color choices, particularly vibrant greens and whites, evoke harmony and tranquility, reflecting the house's natural surroundings. The integration of indoor and outdoor spaces symbolizes the unity between family and nature, showcasing Gaudí's belief in the environment's importance in architectural design. Casa Vicens serves as a physical representation of these ideals, establishing themes and techniques that Gaudí would further develop in later projects.

Casa Vicens Gaudí

Did You Know?

Gaudí's Inspiration

Façade Inscriptions

Hallway-Free Design

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