El Capricho

Comillas, Spain

El Capricho is a villa in Comillas, designed by Antoni Gaudí. It was built in 1883-85 for the summer use of a wealthy client, Máximo Díaz de Quijano. Unfortunately the client died a year before the house was completed.

Gaudí, who designed only a small number of buildings outside Catalonia, was involved with other projects at Comillas. He was the assistant of Joan Martorell on another summer residence, the palacio de Sobrellano.

El Capricho belongs to the architect's orientalist period, during the beginnings of Gaudi's artwork. El Capricho allows to see all the foundations on which modernism is based, anticipating Europe's avant-garde modernism. The tower has been compared to a minaret. After the dead of Máximo Díaz de Quijano, this building was used such as a summer house for the most economically and politically powerful people.

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Details

Founded: 1883-1885
Category: Palaces, manors and town halls in Spain

Rating

4.5/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

Deggsie “Deggs” Degs (17 months ago)
Busy little taste of Gaudi with access to nearly everything. It’s a gem. The audio visual is good and although most of the rooms have no furnishings you get an ide of the detailing because there are no distractions. It’s nice to see so many visitors obviously enjoying the building. They reflect it’s sense of fun. Just a shame you have to walk all the way down the hill and round through the park to get to the palace next door.
Todd Mullin (2 years ago)
Spectacular architecture! A very welcome find that we almost missed! Parking is extremely limited, but there is a public lot close by.
Roberto Belo-Rovella (2 years ago)
Amazing building, beautifully maintained, and excellent interpretation and guide. Must see! Recommended to book in advance.
Mark Dauban (2 years ago)
Really fascinating place - so unusual in so many ways! The attention to detail, nature orientation, wonderful materials and textures used make going into each room and around the house a great experience. It cost 7€ each to go in, but you are able to touch the furniture and decorations which is great. Fully recommend
Eirini Ekiz (2 years ago)
I love Gaudi's work, everything he has designed and this is one of it. Watch the tiles, each one is made by hand and it's unique. Watch the iron work on the balconies, the wooden furniture designed and made for this house only...
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