Casa de Les Punxes

Casa de les Punxes, also known as The House of Spikes, is a residential building in the guise of a medieval castle. The name comes from the roofs, shaped in the form of cones, which end as a spike. These distinctive spikes make it recognizable in the Barcelona skyline. Case de les Punxes was built by the prominent modernist architect Josep Puig i Cadafalch. It was completed in the year 1905. It was closed to the public for more than 100 years, and was recently opened to the public. Bartomeu Terradas Brutau, president of the Football Club F.C. Barcelona, commissioned Josep Puig i Cadafalch to construct houses for each of his sisters, often collectively called the Terradas Sisters. The architect built an architectural marvel, seamlessly linking the three houses to look like a single building.

Reminiscent of old medieval castles, Casa de les Punxes is known for its pointed towers, stained glass paintings and designs crafted in stone. Several eminent sculptors and artisans were hired to construct the building. Enrique Monserdà, Alfons Juyol i Bach, Ramon Eudald Amigó i Dou, and Manuel Ballarín i Lancuentra were involved in this project. On the rooftop, the largest tower occupying the corner of Avinguda Diagonal, houses an incredible feat of architecture. Here, the floors did not rest on vertical supports. Hanging steel straps were used to dissipate the tensile load and transmit the weight of the circular walls, which worked as a result of compression. It allows the confined space to be accessible. Situated close to two other tourist hotspots, La Pedrera or La Sagrada Familia, Casa de les Punxes has enjoyed popularity amongst tourists since its inauguration and is a must-see for anyone visiting Barcelona.

The meeting point is outside the attraction itself. Two different tours are available at Casa de les Punxes, a basic audioguide tour and a guided tour with a complimentary glass of the famous Cava drink. Regardless of which tour you have chosen, you can avail the skip the line option, bypassing the queues outside the monument.

The Casa de les Punxes presents a majestic spectacle to anyone who sees it for the first time in the flesh. The building is set in a triangular layout. Turrets are present at each corner. A mural can be seen on the altar. Several floral decorations in stone and forged details can also be observed on the outside. The interior of Casa de les Punxes is grandiose. The incredible stained glass paintings and interiors will surely take your breath away. Created by Amigó, one of the finest stained glass workshops in the country, the textured glass filters the light in various shades, making for a stunning scene.