This is Gaudí's El Capricho, modernist palace in Comillas: schedule, prices

The great attraction of Gaudí's architectural work It is, possibly, the main tourist attraction of the city of Barcelona, especially among international visitors.

But do you know that in Cantabria you can visit a building made by brilliant Catalan architect?

Indeed, it is about El Capricho, a very curious modernist building that together with two others that are in Astorga y León, are the only three works that Antonio Gaudi built outside Catalonia.

Many years ago, in a rapid visit of Comillas, typical summer town on the western coast of Cantabria, I kept coming to see the building GaudíWell, I won't be anything original if I say that I feel very attracted to its architecture.

Then I could only see it from the outside, when inside it housed a restaurant that had been installed in 1985, which was closed to the public in 2009.

Curiosities history of Gaudí's Capricho

It was then that the current owners of the building, a Spanish company owned by Japan, enabled it for the public visits, which are carried out since 2010.

It currently receives about 100.000 visits annually, although the building is also usually rented for events and celebrations.

El Capricho It is an early work of Gaudí, who built it in 1883, when he was 30 years old, and whose true name is Villa Quijano.

This is a commission from Maximo Diaz Quijano, a rich Indiano who was a brother-in-law of the first Marquès de Comillas.

Gaudí had already done in Quotation marks some commissions for the latter, such as some Chinese kiosks that later disappeared.

But as a curiosity I will tell you that it is thought that the Catalan artist never set foot Quotation marks; in fact, El Capricho It was built under the direction of one of his assistants.

What to see when visiting Gaudí's Capricho in Comillas

It is in the enjoyment of the peculiar aesthetics of the exterior of the Caprice where you find the main attraction of your visit.

This aesthetic may not allow you to identify it with the most mature work of Gaudí that you see, above all, in the most famous buildings in Barcelona.

In this case, the design is influenced by the oriental architecture, highlighting the original minaret tower, which you can also see in some other work of Gaudí from the end of the 19th century, like the Casa Vicens.

When you are before Gaudí's Capricho, The first thing you see is its various references to nature.

Its facades combine the use of stone in the lower part of them, with exposed brick in the upper part, decorated with very striking ceramics that represent sunflowers and leaves.

The green color of the latter is another peculiar characteristic of this building among the work of Gaudí, and its use is due to the intention of integrating it into the landscape.

Of course, curved surfaces already prevail. Without a doubt, the imposing iron balconies will also catch your attention.

You will see that the attractiveness of the interior is found in certain elements.

After passing through a small temple with four stone columns with capitals decorated with birds, you should notice the half-timbered ceiling of what was the master bedroom, as well as the fireplace with a hearth made of ceramics.

There is also some curious element, such as the musical play of bells that you can hear when you move the window frames of the house. Living room.

In sum, Gaudí's Caprice must be a essential visit trust your tourist trip or vacation in Cantabria.

Capricho visit hours in Comillas

The Visiting hours of El Capricho de Gaudí They are, in summer (July to September), every day, from 10,30:21 a.m. to XNUMX p.m., with last access half an hour before closing.

From March to June and in October, every day, from 10,30:20 a.m. to 10,30:17,30 p.m., and in winter (November to February), every day, from XNUMX:XNUMX a.m. to XNUMX:XNUMX p.m.

El Capricho ticket prices in Comillas

The ticket prices they are, adults, 7 euros; children from 7 to 14 years old, 3 euros; retirees, disabled people, large families and unemployed, 5 euros; and children under 7 years old have free entry.

Photos of El Capricho de Gaudí

Here you have more photos of this curious work by Gaudí that you can see in Comillas, west of Cantabria.