The modernist house in half an hour of Barcelona turned into a climate refuge

Catalan modernism does not end in Antoni Gaudí, Lluís Domènech i Montaner and Josep Puig i Cadafalch. They are the three best -known architects, but Jujol, Sagnier, Llimona and many others are other outstanding names of this architectural, sculptural and artistic current.

Nor is Barcelona the only city to find Modernist buildings. The three modernist geniuses did works outside the city and their disciples and followers expanded their style for the rest of the world, even arriving in Argentina.

Gaudí himself did works on the outskirts and even near the Pyrenees, Domènech and Montaner erected the Navas house in Reus. But there is much more.

In Vilanova i la Geltrúa municipality in half an hour from Barcelona, ​​a jewel is still to be discovered for the general public and that, in addition, for a few years, is climate refuge: the house Sebastià Soler i Miróbetter known as Can Pahissa.

Where is it

This building, located in full Main Ramblais the most outstanding example of architectural modernism in the city. Its portal, its lobby, its ladder, its doors and its monumental stained glass They are a clear example of this.

Can in the evil It is actually an isolated building, with perimeter garden, which occupies an outstanding position in the corner between the Rambla de la Pau and Soler I Morell Street. It consists of a semi -basement, elevated ground floor with respect to the street and roof level.

Modernist facade

The first thing that impresses are your facadesbuilt with pink tone view, have a stylistic combination that joins the curvilinear dynamism of modernism with certain classicist elements.

Las openingslarge and oval shapes, are flanked by a total of 49 columns With Jonic Capitals. This fusion of wavy forms and classical order generates a visual voltage characteristic of the late modernism.

How is Can Pahissa

The frame that travels the top of the windows acts as a unifying element of the facade, while the ledgedecorated with vegetable motifs, gives way to a railing of roof What mixes stone and wrought iron. On the back, a semicircular tribune crowned by a Semi-Vípula reinforces the ornamental and at the same time intimate character.

But it is inside where Can Pahissa reaches her maximum splendor. Here, modernism displays its entire repertoire with exuberance and coherence. The lobby, in particular, is shocking: a Sinuous line compositionovoïdal forms and thorough care in detail reveal the participation of various artistic trades, an essential characteristic of the modernist movement.

The Claraboya of the Central Hall, with its polychrome stained glass windowsThey remind the vault of the Palau de la Música and bathe space in a nuanced light that enhances carpentry, forge and plaster. The ceilings have made moldings and plant reliefswhile the decoration maintains a balance between the ornamental and the functional.

The garden is not far behind in its contribution to the whole. A naturalistic tower and a source with the date of 1916 -What suggests that it was built before the house-reinforce the fantasy atmosphere of a small private Eden. He mirador Rocalloso of the garden, in addition, has registered the name of the owner, as a silent signature of whom He wanted to leave a mark Not only in the business, but also in the urban memory of its city.

A particular name

The popular name of the house is why it is Can in the evil. Refers to the original foster of the Soler family, La Pallisa, where they were from Masovar His grandparents. The surname of the farmhouse, deformed, became the family nickname and, over time, in the informal denomination of the house. That does not take away the connection with the Catalan bourgeoisie.

You just need to see who ordered her to erect her. Was Sebastià Soler i Miróa neighbor of Vilanova who emigrated to Chile to make fortune and did it. He kneaded a considerable richness Thanks to the wood trade, the export of nitrates, the construction of housing and the merchant navy.

A special commission

After liquidating their businessSoler returned to his hometown and commissioned the construction of a house that reflected both its success and its Aesthetic sensitivity.

The chosen one was the architect Josep Maria Miró i Guibernauwho was inspired by elements of the Casa Pérez Samanillo from Barcelona – especially its oval openings – to conceive this project that began to be built in 1916 and was concluded in 1921.

Social use

In 1983, the City of Vilanova I the Geltrú acquired the building and, the following year, he undertook Restoration works and adaptation under the direction of the municipal architect Miquel Orriols i Mas.

The objective was to turn the farm into a reception center for older people. And so it happened. In addition to being a day centernow he welcomes various entities and groups and houses a social dining room.

When to visit it

The gardens of Can Pahissa are open to the public from Monday to Friday, from 9:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., since the City Council inhabited them as Climate refuge.

As for the interior of the building, its access is generally reserved for specific activities and scheduled guided tours. To obtain updated information on possible visits to the interior, you can contact the Center of Resiliència i sustenibilitat or consult the cultural agenda of the City of Vilanova I the Geltrú.

How to get there

You can get to Can Pahissa by train. The lines of Rodalies R2 on (address Sant Vicenç de Calders) connect Barcelona with Vilanova I the Geltrú in half an hour and 45 minutes, depending on the line. From the train stationCan Pahissa is just 10 minutes on foot.

If you choose to go by car, the trip from Barcelona It ranges between 35 and 45 minutes. The C-32 highway must be taken in Sitges – Tarragona address and go out at the 26th exit towards Vilanova I the Geltrú.