A more relaxed design from Gaudí, still not a UNESCO World Heritage Site, but well worth visiting.
Casa Calvet Antoni Gaudí was built between 1898 and 1900 for Andreu Calvet. The house is noted as being one of Gaudís more conventional works, compared to the designs of such buildings as Casa Mila and Casa Batlló. Pere Mártir Calvet used the bottom part of the building for his textile business and lived above within the residential part of the building. The bottom part of the building now houses a Chinese Restaurant. The building is built from stone from the nearby Montjüic Hill, and the balconies made from iron. One thing to note about the balconies is they are the most notable Gaudí design elements within the building.
Interestingly, this is the only Gaudí building that actually won an award. The building won Barcelona’s City Council award for the best building of 1900. The building itself has elements of Baroque Style, since Gaudí was edging away from his Orientalist influences. Most people wouldn’t think one of the world’s most prominent architects designed this building. But like most of Gaudí’s works, the secrets lie in the finer details. If you look closely at the building, you will start to see Gaudì’s design details much more clearly. Such Gaudí elements such as iron balconies, curved roof, ceramics and stained-glass are all present in the building, but in a more refined style.
It is always interesting to discover less known or maybe less famous works of Gaudí right in the heart of Barcelona. Casa Calvet could be described as minimalist modernist, but it is still a unique building. It may not have the natural flow of Casa Batllo, but Casa Calvet has a very personal and unique character. It is important to note that this was among the first large scale projects by Antoni Gaudí.
Is It Worth Visiting?
The house hasn’t achieved the fame as his other building designs, probably due to being less Gaudí and more traditional, however there are many infinite Gaudí design details to discover within this building. The building is a Spanish Cultural Heritage building, but unlike other Gaudi buildings, it has not yet been awarded a UNESCO World Heritage status. It is still however, a unique and historic modernist building of significant importance.
As many of you will only have two or three nights in Barcelona, visiting Casa Calvet depends on your interests. If you have a passion for Catalan Modernism or Gaudí, then it will be worth viewing. If you aren’t modernist lovers, then we recommend visiting the better Casa Batllo or La Pedrera / Casa Mila, and, of course, the Sagrada Família. However, if you find yourself close by, then it is certainly worth viewing, as are all Gaudí’s works.
Another important point to consider visiting is that you cannot enter the building. The Casa Calvet is not as yet open to the public, and there are no tours of the inside of the building available. If you decide to visit Casa Calvet, it will be to view from the outside and an opportunity to take photos.
How to get to Casa Calvet Antoni Gaudí
To view this unique building the nearest metro station is Urquinaona, served by lines 1 and 4. It is about a 3 minute walk from this metro station to the building. You can also travel by bus on routes 17, 39, 45, 62 and B21. Casa Calvet is situated on Carrer de Casp 48. Casa Calvet is also just a short walk from Plaça Catalyuna, and can be easliy visited by foot from this square.
