Amid the profusion of Modernista architecture in the Eixample, Casa Amatller on Passeig de Gràcia stands out as one of the most spectacular buildings.
Modernisme of discord
Attached to Casa Batlló, Casa Amatller ;was built by Josep Puig i Cadafalch, one of Antoni Gaudí’s greatest rivals at the start of the 20th century. The fact that they are touching each other and both are impressive houses, very near Casa Lleó Morera and other magnificent Modernista houses, means this area in the middle of Passeig de Gràcia is still known as the block of discord.
The house was built between 1898 and 1900, for the chocolatier Antoni Amatller at the time when the Eixample had just opened and bourgeois families from throughout the city decided to adopt Passeig de Gràcia as their own residential area.
A Flemish house
The building is inspired by 17th century Dutch houses , with a typically Flemish facade covered in triangular-shaped ceramics and flat at the top. The lower facade and entrance are decorated with sculptures by Eusebi Arnau with typical Catalan motifs, such as Sant Jordi (St George) slaying the dragon, and also in honour of the chocolatier owner, including family surnames and references to his trade.
Apart from being a chocolatier, Amatller was also a photography enthusiast, and his daughter converted the family home into an art centre, the Institut Amatller d'Art Hispànic. A selection from her father’s vast collections is on display on the ground floor.