Casa Serra, Modernist mansion in Eixample, Spain
Casa Serra is a modernist residential building in Barcelona featuring a central tower topped with a conical roof and large windows throughout its facade. Sculptural decorations by Eusebi Arnau and Alfons Juyol adorn the structure, which now serves as the headquarters of the Barcelona Provincial Council.
Architect Josep Puig i Cadafalch designed this house between 1903 and 1908 for Pere Serra, drawing inspiration from medieval features of the demolished Casa Gralla. The building's original owner did not reside here, and it later served as a college for nuns.
Busts of important figures like painter Marià Fortuny and writer Miguel de Cervantes sit above the windows, showing how much the building celebrates Catalan creativity. These sculptural portraits reflect what mattered most to the people who commissioned and built this house.
The building is located at Rambla Catalunya 126 and functions as government headquarters, so visitors can explore the exterior while the interior generally remains closed to the public. The facade is best viewed during daytime when light highlights the sculptural details and architectural features.
The original owner Pere Serra never actually moved into this house despite commissioning it as his private residence. This unusual decision suggests the building may have been created as an investment or for other purposes beyond personal use.
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