Un Trip to Barcelona with the purpose of visiting its main exponents of the modern architecture, like the one I recently did, can bring you pleasant surprises.
Of course in a modernism route in Barcelona you have essential stages, such as Sagrada Familia, Casa Batllo o La Pedrera.
But on your walk through the city center you will also discover interesting modernist architecture buildings of which perhaps you had no references.
That was my case when heading towards the Sagrada Familia A building caught my attention that turned out to be the Palau Macaya.
Located at 108 San Juan walk, the facade of the Macaya Palace Will not leave you indifferent.
It is a building built between 1898 and 1901 by the architect Josep Puig i Cadafalch, who at that time was also building the Casa amatller of the Paseo de Gracia.
All the information in detail
History of the Palau Macaya, a modernist building in Barcelona
La Macaya House It was commissioned by the Catalan industrialist Romà Macaya i Gibert to build a mansion that would become their family residence.
The result is a building with an austere white façade with sgraffito in ocher, but in which the finishes of the windows and the great ornamentation in carved stone of the balconies stand out.
After passing into the hands of the industrialist Juan Vilella Estivill in 1914, after the Civil War la Macaya House became the property of the Pension Fund.
Since then, the building had great links with the Obra Social La Caixa.
Finally, since October 2012 this historic modernist building has become CaixaForum Macaya, a center for reflection and debate, with various function and meeting rooms, which joins other cultural spaces of The Caixa Barcelona.
When in front of the beautiful facade of the Macaya Palace, do not hesitate to access its interior patio.
You will pass through a lobby decorated with sgraffito and tiles, and in said patio, above all, you should pay attention to its grand staircase, carved in stone with floral motifs.
Guided tours of the Palau Macaya (CaixaForum Macaya)
And if you prefer, you can also sign up for the guided tours of CaixaForum Macaya which at certain times of the year are held to discover this jewel of modernist architecture in Barcelona.
In these free visits, the one-hour explanatory tour will allow you to take a tour of the history of the two facades, the entrance, the patio, the staircase, the old garages, the coal cellars and the noble room of the Macaya Palace.
- Here you have the information of the guided tours of CaixaForum Macaya.
Map: how to get there CaixaForum Macaya
The building of the Macaya Palace, Seat of the CaixaForum Macaya cultural center, is in the Paseo de San Juan 108 Barcelona.
Photos of the Palau Macaya
To encourage you to visit it, here you have more photos of the Palau Macaya, Seat of the CaixaForum Macaya in Barcelona.
Beautiful modernist building, which I visited on my visits to Barcelona. (but before 2012) I was very interested in the relationship with my family. My great-grandfather was also called Roman Macaya, born in Cartagena-de-Las-Indias, Colombia where his parents emigrated from Barcelona.
Thanks for such a good article.
Your great grandfather did not come from Barcelona, his origin is in the Villa de LLoret de Mar Girona Catalonia.
I have followed his trail to Costa Rica in the other Casa Macaya in San Jose from the modernist era.
Greetings Mr. Alfredo Macaya Ortiz
Very good graphic report!
I remember when I was in the courtyard of the Palau and I loved it.
A greeting.
Beautiful.
I love it, great job again, very nice photos.
Barcelona's modernism is unique in the world, a delight.
Surely you know the modernism of Badajoz, much more modest, of course, but with very nice corners.
Greetings and thank you very much, keep up the good work, friends.
The city of Badajoz is a pending visit 🙂
Very beautiful photos. It is very important that we take the time to appreciate modernist art, full of knowledge and a fundamental part of history. An unparalleled architecture that should be admired by children, young people and adults.