The Casa de les Punxes, officially named Casa Terradas or Casa Terrades, is an enchanting Modernista-style building located on the bustling Avinguda Diagonal. From the outside, it resembles a large medieval castle, almost a magical palace, earning its nickname Casa de les Punxes (House of Spikes) due to its pointed towers. Since 2016, it houses a museum where visitors can access the rooftop terrace. For architecture enthusiasts, this is a must-see!
What to See and Do at Casa de les Punxes
There are several reasons to visit Casa de les Punxes. As one of the most emblematic Modernista buildings in Barcelona, it’s a place worth seeing. Beyond its architectural value, visiting Casa de les Punxes is interesting because it uniquely tells the story of Catalonia’s greatest hero, the knight Sant Jordi.
The House
Casa de les Punxes is a majestic mansion built in 1903 that once belonged to the Terrades sisters. It’s a Wagnerian-style building created by Modernist architect Josep Puig i Cadafalch, who was inspired by Neuschwanstein Castle and was a great fan of Richard Wagner’s music.
From the outside, Casa de les Punxes stands out for its castle-like, triangular shape. Its six huge pointed towers, which rise above the building, are why it’s popularly known as the Casa de les Punxes (House of Spikes). The red bricks, richly decorated balconies and facades with stone and iron, and ceramic tiles on the roof, make Casa de les Punxes a visual delight.
A fun fact is that Casa de les Punxes has three different entrances: one for each residence. The paintings crowning each building are also distinct, based on which sister owned them.
Of the three houses forming the building, one is now open to the public. Inside, Casa de les Punxes is more sober and modernized, as the commissioners wished, but it still retains beautiful details in the ceilings, floor tiles, and stained glass windows.
The Rooftop Terrace
One of the highlights of Casa de les Punxes is undoubtedly its rooftop terrace, where visitors can access the pointed towers. Inside, various topics related to Casa de les Punxes, its architect, the era it was built, and Catalan Modernism are illuminated.
But the most beautiful aspect is the view from the rooftop. You get a 360-degree view over Barcelona and Avinguda Diagonal, with the Sagrada Família and Torre Glòries (Torre Agbar) standing out in the distance.
The Museum
The museum at Casa de les Punxes focuses on four main themes, spread across the first floor and the rooftop: the legend of Sant Jordi, the house and its architect, and Catalan Modernism. With numerous photos, audiovisual images, and the latest technologies, you get a good sense of what Casa de les Punxes represents.
History of Casa de les Punxes
Casa de les Punxes is the work of Josep Puig i Cadafalch, a Catalan architect, politician, and teacher who was a great lover and promoter of Catalonia. His Casa de les Punxes was built in the then-new Eixample district by the Terrades family.
The Terrades, one of the great families from the textile industry of Catalonia, had their father Bartomeu Terradas i Mont commission a building for his three daughters Rosa, Josefa, and Angela in 1903.
The architect designed a large building divided into three residences. Each of the three sisters owned one of the houses, but eventually, two of the unmarried sisters, Angela and Rosa, along with their mother, lived on the noble floor of the building at Avenida Diagonal number 420, while the married sister, Josefa, lived in another building with her husband. Upon the death of the three sisters, their brother Bartolomeu would have been the heir, but he also died in 1948 without descendants.
In 1975, the building was declared a national historical monument and, in 1976, a cultural asset of national interest.
The property was sold to the Catalan bank LaCaixa, which sold it in 2010 to the company Texna. In 2016, the museum part was opened, allowing the public to peek inside the Terradas house for the first time.
The Legend of Saint George
Saint George, or Sant Jordi in Catalan, the patron saint of Catalonia, is the inspiration for many Modernist architects, including Puig i Cadafalch, who gave the knight a prominent role in Casa de les Punxes.
On the Carrer Rosselló side, there’s a large depiction of Sant Jordi on the facade of Casa de les Punxes with the telling phrase: “Sant Patró de Catalunya, torneu-nos la llibertat” (Holy patron of Catalonia, give us our freedom back).
Given Sant Jordi’s significant presence in Casa de les Punxes, upon opening the museum, it was decided to dedicate an exhibition to this hero. Inside the museum, there’s a large audiovisual tour depicting the legend of Saint George and the dragon. There’s also plenty of information about the knight Sant Jordi, his origins, and his influence on Catalan artists.
Souvenir Shop
On the ground floor of the museum, there’s a small souvenir shop where you can buy various items after your visit to Casa de les Punxes. From miniature copies of the towers of Casa de les Punxes to books and travel guides about Barcelona. These make great gifts or personal mementos.
Café Matalaranya
Around the corner from the museum entrance, there’s a charming café and tapas bar with an outdoor terrace, named Matalaranya. It’s the perfect way to wrap up your visit to Casa de les Punxes.
Nits amb ritme
During the summer months, Casa de les Punxes opens its large rooftop terrace every Friday evening for the public to enjoy a musical evening with performances by jazz musicians. The entry includes access to the rooftop of Casa de les Punxes, a glass of cava, and two montaditos (slices of bread with a topping).
Casa de les Punxes Tickets
You need tickets to visit the museum and rooftop terrace of Casa de les Punxes. You can buy them on-site or online in advance. The visit can only be done with an audio guide or a guide and includes the exhibition about the legend of Sant Jordi, information about Casa de les Punxes and Catalan Modernism, and a visit to the rooftop terrace, which can be concluded with a glass of cava. The audio guide is available in multiple languages, including Catalan, Spanish, English, French, and German. The visit to Casa de les Punxes lasts about 1 hour.
Guided Tour of Casa de les Punxes
Those with a keen interest in the history and architectural value of Casa de les Punxes can best book a guided tour. For €20, you are led through the building and museum by an expert and learn everything about Casa de les Punxes. The tours are offered only on weekends and in Spanish or Catalan, lasting about 90 minutes.
Getting to Casa de les Punxes
Casa de les Punxes is located on Avinguda Diagonal at the intersection of Rosselló and Bruc streets, near the Verdaguer (L4, L5) and Diagonal (L3, L5) metro stations in the Eixample district. Its castle-like appearance makes the building easy to spot. The entrance to the museum is at Avinguda Diagonal number 420.
Useful information
Price: €13.50 per person (including audio guide) or €20 per person with a guided tour.
Free admission for children under 8 years old. Children between 8 and 18 years old pay €10, pensioners, disabled and students pay €11.50. Free admission with the Modernista Pass.
Opening Hours: Daily from 09:00 to 20:00 (last entry at 19:00). Closed on January 25th.
Tip: If you want to learn even more about Casa de les Punxes during your visit, it is recommended to participate in a guided tour.
Address: Avinguda Diagonal, 420 08037 Barcelona
Public Transportation
Metro: Diagonal (L3, L5), Verdaguer (L4, L5)
Bus: 6, 33, 34, 47, N6
