Barcelona, a city synonymous with breathtaking architecture and vibrant urban life, underwent a profound transformation in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. This period, often called the Renaixença, marked a "golden age" of artistic and political fervor deeply intertwined with Catalan identity, culminating in the unique architectural style known as Modernisme. At the heart of this metamorphosis was the Eixample district, a visionary urban expansion that became a blank canvas for the city's burgeoning industrial bourgeoisie and a crucible for architectural innovation.
The Dawn of a New Barcelona: From Walled City to Metropolis
For centuries, Barcelona was confined within its medieval walls, leading to notoriously crowded and unhygienic conditions exacerbated by rapid industrialization and population growth. The demolition of these oppressive walls in the mid-19th century was a pivotal moment, paving the way for Ildefons Cerdà's ambitious plan for the Eixample (meaning "Enlargement"). Cerdà's vision, though initially met with resistance and later compromised by land speculation, laid out a grid-like layout with wide boulevards and octagonal superblocks designed for better visibility. This expansion was essential for the city's industrial development, creating space for both factories and housing.
The Eixample quickly became the most coveted real estate in Barcelona, attracting an "insatiable demand for housing". While Cerdà envisioned plenty of green spaces, these were largely sacrificed to rampant land speculation. However, the new district spurred a fervent architectural movement. "Some of the upper-class citizens of Barcelona were excited by the new plan and began a race to build 'the biggest, tallest, most attractive house' in the district". This interest, combined with their wealth, fueled the rich diversity of architecture that defines the Eixample today.
The Bourgeoisie as Patrons of Modernisme
Barcelona's economic boom in the late 19th century meant that its wealthy industrial and commercial class had ample resources to commission lavish, ostentatious buildings. This bourgeoisie, eager to express their prosperity and civic pride, moved from the old city to the new Eixample, transforming it into a showcase of avant-garde architecture. Architects like Antoni Gaudí, Lluís Domènech i Montaner, and Josep Puig i Cadafalch became prominent figures, creating a unique Catalan style that deviated from the more conservative trends elsewhere in Spain.
Modernisme, while comparable to European Art Nouveau, developed a distinct identity deeply rooted in Catalan culture. It drew inspiration from Gothic, Islamic, and Renaissance styles, incorporating fluid, organic forms found in nature, along with intricate details in stained glass, wrought iron, and ceramics. These elements showcased the exceptional skill of local artisans, who integrated seamlessly into the architectural vision, turning buildings into comprehensive works of art.
Enric Sagnier i Villavecchia: A Prolific Modernista Architect
Among the talented architects shaping this new Barcelona was Enric Sagnier i Villavecchia. Sagnier was one of the most prolific Catalan architects of the Modernista era, contributing significantly to the city's urban landscape. His work, though sometimes described as eclectic, adapted well to the formal language of Modernisme while frequently incorporating elements of Baroque ornamentation.
A prime example of Sagnier's work from this period is the residential building at Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes, 654, completed in 1904. This building is classified as a "Bé Cultural d'Interès Local (B)" (Local Cultural Heritage Asset), indicating its significant historical and artistic value.
The Gran Via 654 building, standing between party walls, comprises a ground floor and four upper floors. Its architectural style is described as Eclectic with Modernista influence. Sagnier skillfully integrated undulating forms and Baroque ornamentation into the design. The main floor is particularly notable for a large tribune with intricate glass decoration supported by stone elements, emphasizing these fluid, undulating shapes. The rest of the facade, structured around four compositional axes, is entirely made of stone, displaying a variety of textures – a characteristic feature of Sagnier's work. Prominent undulating balconies, both in their slabs and wrought-iron railings, further enhance the facade's dynamic appearance. The top floor features a continuous balcony situated above a large, decorated horizontal band, crowned by a series of arcades and a cornice supported by wooden corbels. At the ground level, five distinctive lobed arch portals command attention. Sculptor Alfons Juyol collaborated with the famous architect in this work.
This house is known as Casa Camil Mulleras Garros as that was the name of the petitioner of the Gran Via 654 building, something that fits the pattern of the era where the burgeoning bourgeoisie, often industrialists or merchants, sought to establish their presence in the Eixample with grand, distinctive residences. For instance, Sagnier designed the Casa Antoni Roger Vidal in 1888 for a cotton industrialist and politician, described as a "mesocratic castle" with battlements, reflecting the aspirations of this class. Notice that there is another Casa Mulleras at Passeig de Gracia, 37 that was previously known as Casa Ramon Comas (a remodeling also by Sagnier for the same Mulleras that was a well known philantropist).
Other Notable Works by Enric Sagnier
- Casa Sagnier (1900): His own summer residence in Sant Gervasi - Galvany, a cubic block with a sober Gothic-inspired decoration, which now serves as a civic center.
- Palau de Justícia (begun 1887): A significant public building co-designed with Josep Domènech i Estapà.
- Casa Juncadella (1892–1907): Located in the "Illa d'or" (Golden Block) of the Eixample, known for its facade decorations by Pere Carbonell, elegant carriage entrance, inner courtyard, and golden railings.
- Casa Evarist Arnús - El Pinar (1903): A Neo-Gothic palace.
- Temple Expiatori del Sagrat Cor (1902–1911): A prominent religious commission dominating Tibidabo hill.
- Edifici Patronat Ribas (1930): Originally an orphanage, designed in a Baroque-inspired populist style.
- Funerary architecture in Poblenou Cemetery: Sagnier also designed tombs for prominent bourgeois families, alongside other leading architects like Elies Rogent.
Protecting Barcelona's Architectural Legacy
Barcelona's architectural heritage, particularly from the Modernisme movement, is meticulously preserved through official cataloging and protection mechanisms. Buildings are classified based on their cultural interest, such as "Béns Culturals d'Interès Local (B)" for local cultural heritage assets. This framework ensures that structures like Sagnier's building at Gran Via 654, along with countless other masterpieces by Gaudí, Domènech i Montaner, Puig i Cadafalch, and their contemporaries, are safeguarded for future generations.
These protected buildings serve not only as historical artifacts but also as vibrant symbols of Barcelona's enduring spirit of innovation and its rich cultural identity. The city council's Architectural Heritage Search portal allows the public to consult approved records, providing descriptions and outlining intervention frameworks for these protected elements.
The late 19th and early 20th centuries were a crucial period for Barcelona, marked by industrial expansion, the creation of the Eixample, and the flourishing of Modernisme. This era saw a dynamic interplay between the aspirations of the wealthy bourgeoisie and the creative genius of architects like Enric Sagnier i Villavecchia. Their commissioned works, characterized by innovative designs and rich ornamentation, not only defined the urban fabric of the new city but also became enduring testaments to a unique moment in Barcelona's history, now protected and celebrated as vital components of its cultural heritage.
