Casa Vicens Barcelona, the first house of Antoni Gaudí, and the first important work of the Catalan architect, makes available to the visitor one of the key pieces of Gaudí’s artistic career: the work that marked his starting point, an architectural jewel declared Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in 2005.
Built between 1883 and 1885 commissioned by D. Manuel Vicens, the Casa Vicens is one of the first masterpieces of Modernism, an anticipation of Gaudí’s later work and a living sample of the airs of aesthetic renewal that were breathed at the end of the century XIX throughout Europe. Originally, it was designed as a holiday home with a garden, in which geometric shapes and rich ornamentation, inspired by the surrounding vegetation, are present both on the outside of the house and in the different interior spaces.
In 1925, the architect Juan Sierra de Martínez made some renovations to the building, adding a new bay to the rear of the building, modifying the accesses and significantly expanding the size of the garden. All renovations were carried out with the utmost respect for the original work. Gaudí even approved the plans, which at that time he was busy building the Sagrada Familia.
Casa Vicens was a private residence until 2014 and opened to the public as a museum in November 2017. The current formation of Casa Vicens and its garden is the result of some subsequent changes and restorations, with three clearly differentiated spaces: the original construction designed by Antoni Gaudí, the extension of the 1925 design by Joan Baptista Serra de Martínez, and the garden that surrounds the building. With its new purpose as a museum, the renovation project has adapted the building’s spaces from the 1925 renovations in order to provide the various necessary services. You will find a small bookstore in the basement and at the end of the garden there is also a cafeteria.
Casa Vicens hosts both permanent and temporary exhibitions, which change throughout the year. The permanent collection traces the history of the house and the work of Gaudí. It also explores the social and cultural context of Barcelona at the time, as well as Gaudí’s anticipation of the modernist movement.
How to get to Casa Vicens Barcelona
The house is located in the Gracia neighborhood and is accessible on foot or by public transport. The easiest way to get there is by metro, the closest station is Fontana, which is just a 3-minute walk away. The closest hop-on hop-off bus stop is “Park Güell”, about 20 minutes walk from Casa Vicens. It is open every day of the year except December 25 and January 6, the opening hours vary throughout the year, so be sure to check the opening hours before your visit.
Hours of Casa Vicens
- Thursday, from 3pm to 8pm. From Friday to Sunday, from 10am to 8pm.
- Closed: January 6 and December 25.
Price of Casa Vicens
- Free access: children up to 11 years old. Reduced rate: student from 12 to 25 years old, senior (+65), member of a large family or single parent $ 16
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