March 6: Museum Casa Amatller and Casas Singulares
Museum Casa Amatller is a hidden gem in the city of Barcelona. Located beside Casa Batlló, the famous masterpiece by Gaudi, Museum Casa Amatller is a house of Catalan modernism with its beauty.
On this Monday when most museums are closed, it kindly opens the door only for guests from Boston University, who have enjoyed a memorable experience there. Before entering the house, the students are fascinated by the decorations on the facade. The combination of materials, colors, and decorative techniques creates a delicate chromaticism that makes the front of the house stand out artistically from its construction to the present day. Raquel Peula (MET ’14) points out the statue by the two sides of the window, one of which is a man holding a camera. This statute suggests that this elegant house was completed in 1900 after the camera was invented.
Walking to the second floor, the house preserves the furniture used by the Amatller family and restores the scenes. The museum staff highlighted the achievements of the Amatller family and explained the details of the life of this bourgeoisie family. Their emphasis on the quality of one-to-one guided tours has left students with a deep impression. The founder of Casas Singulares, which manage several historic properties in Barcelona including Casa Amatller, joined the students later and shared her perspectives on preserving and presenting the houses. She is proud of her work in bringing the public closer to the heritage of Barcelona.
Author: Hanzhi Li