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Gorgeously flamboyant, Casa Vicens is a riot of colour and fantastical architectural detailing - bearing the hallmarks of Barcelona hero Antoni Gaudi.
Barcelona and the architectural creations of Antonio Gaudí, famous for their rich symbolism, ornamentation, gothic and art-nouveau forms, continue to inspire visitors and his very first masterpiece, Casa Vicens, is a must for Gaudi aficionados.
Casa Vicens was built between 1883 and 1885 by a then 31-year-old Antoni Gaudí for a wealthy tile and brick factory owner, Manuel Vicens i Montaner, situated in the then smart leafy suburb of Barcelona, Gràcia,
The then recently qualified architect, Antoni Gaudí created a scene of magical essence with green, red, white and creamy yellow tiles covering the façade of Casa Vicens orchestrating a series of horizontal lines in the lower part and vertical lines in the upper. Herons, cranes and cherries caress the beams and stalactite ceilings.
The Mediterranean gardens with their endlessly diverting ornamentation: built-in furniture, murals and Moorish elixir are planted with Phoenix and Trachycarpus palms, climbing plants, magnolias and roses, and at the end of the garden is the Hofmann Café.