During the nineteenth century, Barcelona’s economy was booming, thanks to a thriving textile industry and strong international trade.
One outcome of this growth was the construction of a new district called l’Eixample, where affluent businessmen commissioned architects to design lavish houses in the then-popular architectural style known as Catalan Modernism, which is the local version of Art Nouveau.
Catalan Modernism is characterised by its use of organic and fanciful designs, which often took inspiration from nature and other design styles, including Gothic and Islamic architecture.
Today, Barcelona is famous for this style of architecture, and many of the most emblematic Modernista buildings are open to the public. The best examples are La Sagrada Familia, Casa Batlló, La Pedrera and El Palau de la Musica Catalana.
However, in addition to these famous buildings, hundreds of other Modernista or Art Nouveau buildings are dotted around the city, many of which are just as impressive as the more famous buildings.
One example is Casa Comalat, built in 1909 by Salvador Valeri i Pupurull and located on Avinguda Diagonal, a few meters from Passeig de Gràcia, La Pedrera and Casa Batlló.
Built for the wealthy Catalan industrialist Joan Comalat i Alenyá, this little-known architectural gem is just as impressive as its more famous neighbours.
One thing that makes Casa Comalat unique is the fact that it has two façades. First, the grand and ostentatious main façade which opens onto Avinguda Diagonal. Then, on Carrer de Còrsega, there is a second, more whimsically styled façade decorated with colourful tiles and clearly inspired by the work of Antoni Gaudí.
Visiting Casa Comalat
Casa Comalat is not open to the public, so you can only view its exterior. Despite this, it’s still worth visiting the building, which is conveniently located near Casa Batlló and La Pedrera. Even without entering, you can glimpse the building’s lavish interior through the oversized front door on Av. Diagonal.
Location
Casa Comalat is in the Eixample district of Barcelona, near the intersection of Av. Diagonal and Carrer de Còrsega.
Address:
- Av. Diagonal, 442 (main façade)
- Carrer de Còrsega, 316 (colourful façade)
How to get there
The nearest metro station is Diagonal, which is on lines L3 and L5 (the green and the blue lines).
Other Attractions nearby
- Casa Bonaventura Ferrer
- La Pedrera (Casa Milà)
- Casa Batlló
- Museu Tàpies
- Plaça Cinc d’Ors
