Passage of Lodares, Art Nouveau covered gallery in central Albacete, Spain
The Passage of Lodares is a glass-roofed covered gallery that connects Tinte Street with Mayor Street through a commercial corridor. The structure is supported by 44 pseudo-ionic columns and 12 pilasters, with retail stores on the ground floor while upper levels contain private residential apartments.
Gabriel Lodares commissioned architect Buenaventura Ferrando Castells in 1925 to design this commercial and residential building following Italian architectural patterns. The construction took place during a period of economic transformation when modern urban spaces were being created for the city.
The interior walls display sculptures representing Industry, Agriculture, and Commerce, along with female and male figures created by sculptor Vitaliano Sanchez Corredor. These decorative works remain visible today and give the passage an artistic character.
The building remains open during retail business hours and can be easily walked through by visitors. Since private residences occupy the upper floors, visitors should be respectful and keep noise to a minimum when passing through.
This structure is one of only three preserved modernist passages in Spain, with the others located in Valladolid and Zaragoza. Its rarity makes it an exceptional example of this early form of modern retail architecture in the country.
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