The Umbrella House: Casa Bruno Cuadros

The painted steel Chinese dragon sign on the façade of the umbrella house Barcelona. The dragon is adorned by a fan, an umbrella and a bamboo lantern.
Casa Bruno Cuadros, Barcelona

One of the most easily recognisable landmarks on Barcelona’s iconic Las Ramblas boulevard, Casa Bruno Cuadros is located half-way between Plaça de Catalunya and the Columbus Monument.

Better known as The Umbrella House (Catalan: Casa dels Paraigües) due to the brightly coloured umbrellas which decorate the façade. The building dates back to 1858 and was built by Bruno Cuadros who owned the umbrella shop which originally occupied the entire ground floor (now a bank).

In 1883 Cuadros gave Catalan architect Josep Vilaseca I Casanovas the task of refurbishing the entire building incorporating Egyptian and Oriental design elements which were popular at the time.

Vilaseca´s eclectic design includes umbrellas, fans, a large Chinese dragon holding a bamboo lantern and enamelled panels with images inspired by traditional Japanese paintings.

A spring day on the Ramblas, Barcelona. Crowds of tourists walking along the Ramblas boulevard, many of them are taking photos of Casa Bruna Cuadros, better known as the Umbrella House.
Casa Bruno Cuadros, better known as The Umbrella House

Location

La Rambla 82, Barcelona

How to get there

The nearest metro stop is Liceu on the L3 metro (green line).

Other attractions nearby

Map

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