Casa Botines

León, Spain

The Casa Botines (built 1891-1892) is a Modernist building in León, designed by Antoni Gaudí. It was adapted to serve as the headquarters of Caja España, a local savings bank.

While Gaudí was finishing the construction of the Episcopal Palace of Astorga, his friend and patron, Eusebi Güell recommended that he build a house in the center of León. Simón Fernández and Mariano Andrés, the owners of a company that bought fabrics from Güell, commissioned Gaudí to build a residential building with a warehouse. The house's nickname comes from the last name of the company's former owner, Joan Homs i Botinàs.

In 1929, the savings bank of León, Caja España, bought the building and adapted it to its needs, without altering Gaudí's original project.

With the Casa Botines, Gaudí wanted to pay tribute to León's emblematic buildings. Therefore, he designed a building with a medieval air and numerous neo-Gothic characteristics. The building consists of four floors, a basement and an attic. Gaudí chose an inclined roof and placed towers in the corners to reinforce the project's neo-Gothic feel. To ventilate and illuminate the basement, he created a moat around two of the façades, a strategy that he would repeat at the Sagrada Família in Barcelona.

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Details

Founded: 1891-1892
Category: Palaces, manors and town halls in Spain

More Information

en.wikipedia.org

Rating

4.5/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

Hamadosh .k (2 years ago)
Really interesting also they have audio in 4 different languages including English price was 7 or 8 euro not sure with no traffic, but tge roof you can’t enter it without Guide which is idk why also some floors are closed for maintenance.
howard mcfarland (2 years ago)
Took a terrific guided tour with detailed anecdotes and history, led at a good pace by a passionate and interesting young woman. Get to see the original "attic" roof spire on the guided tour. Lots of beautiful art inside this masterful, delicate "sedate" Gaudi. Gorgeous jewel box inside and out.
Jacob Clark (2 years ago)
I really appreciated the interactive art pieces, which made the visit much more enjoyable for me. There are enough explanations that if you’re interested in some particular thing, you can read up more on it, but it’s not at all overwhelming if you’re not one to read the descriptions of everything. The staff were also very friendly and helpful. The only bad thing were the bathrooms, which I found very unclean — one had no soap, or even hand sanitizer, to use after using the bathroom. Overall, though, a good experience and worth the 5€ (if you’re a student).
Karen Decter (2 years ago)
We appreciate Gaudi so we loved it! I believe it was 5€. Pleasant staff. The ground floor explains the history of the building as well as Gaudi's inspiration for his architecture. On this floor, only the original windows remain after renovations post his death. It originally housed a fabric business, and renovations brought a bank and insurance. There is a mock up of each. The 2nd and 3rd floors are dedicated to examples of Gaudi's work, explanations of various forms he used, videos, interactive video, and then a visit through one of the 12 apts for rent with all original furniture and decorations. You also see the optometrist/dentist office that existed for residents. The dentist office hasn't evolved all that much. On the 1st floor via a different staircase you can visit temporary exhibits. Very recommeinnded.
Lewis Mindy (3 years ago)
One of only 3 places Gaudí designed outside Catalunya. Various prices but never expensive. I paid 5 euro for example. Right in the heart of León close to the cathedral. Various languages spoken. Souvenir shop on site.
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