Casa Vicens History
Between 1878 and 1880, Manuel Vicens i Montaner commissioned Gaudí headed for build a house on the lot that he inherited from his mother in 1877. Gaudí’s innovative plans are dated March 1883. The land was stuck between the Convento de Monjas de la Caridad de San Vicente de Paül (Convent of the Nuns of Charity of St. Vincent of Paul) and a dead-end passage that runs at right angles to Carrer de les Carolines. Gaudí constructed the residence against the wall of the convent, creating a large and spacious garden. For the other side of the garden, Gaudí created a colossal fountain constructed with open brickwork, made up of a parabolic arch topped by a passage between columns. The water was stored inside 2 tanks positioned on top of the pillars to each side of the fountain. The fountain was demolished in 1946 due to the sale of that part of the terrain. Casa Vicens was constructed around two bays that run parallel to the wall that was shared with the convent; wooden beams and Catalan-style vaults had been constructed over the bays, except in the basement, where masonry vaults were used.
The roof is sloped on 2 sides, with four gables; there is a small path close to the edge of the roof, which enables it to be easily maintained. As in every Gaudí’s works, the aeration conducts and chimneys are abundantly ornamented with the same ceramic material as the front wall. They get the attention of every passerby. To visit Casa Vicens you can do a Visites guidées Barcelone
Throughout the ground floor, decoration is linked together with an abundance of color and life. The ceiling is brilliantly naturalistic in expression with sculpted sparrows and bunches of cherries surrounding the beams suspended by slender cords. The flowers as well as plants damaged by the construction reappear in the construction as elements of the architecture. The construction was extended during 1925-1926 under the architect Juan B. de Serra Martínez keeping to the unique style and under the guidance of Gaudí. The building remains privately owned. Here you can find the route to arrive in Barcelona when you come from Aeroport Barcelone