Casa Cautiño facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Casa Cautiño
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Casa Cautiño is an example of the local urban architecture from the late nineteenth century
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 Location in Puerto Rico
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| Location | Calle Santiago Palmer Norte #1 Guayama, Puerto Rico |
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| Area | 640 m2 (6,900 sq ft) |
| Built | 1887 |
| Architectural style | Classical Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 84003137 |
| Added to NRHP | June 11, 1984 |
Casa Cautiño is a special house museum located in Guayama, Puerto Rico. It's like stepping back in time! The museum has a cool collection of art, amazing wood carvings, sculptures, and furniture. All these beautiful pieces were made by talented Puerto Rican craftspeople for the Cautiño family. This historic house is so important that it's listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Institute of Puerto Rican Culture helps take care of the museum.
Contents
A Look Inside Casa Cautiño
Who Lived Here?
The Casa Cautiño was once owned by a very rich man named Genaro Cautiño Vázquez. He was a wealthy landowner in Guayama. He also served as a colonel in the Volunteer Battalion of the Spanish Army. This was a military group that helped the Spanish government.
A House During Wartime
During the Spanish–American War, something interesting happened. The house became the main office for the American soldiers. After the war ended, Genaro Cautiño moved back into his home.
Secret Tunnels and Family Homes
Did you know there was once another house next to Casa Cautiño? It was called the Annex house and was for extended family members. It was right next to the Iglesia San Antonio, a church. Even today, a secret tunnel is said to connect Casa Cautiño, the old Annex house, and the church!
The House's Design and Style
The house itself is shaped like a "U" and has only one floor. It also has a pretty inner courtyard. A local architect named Manual Texidor designed and built the house in 1887. He had just finished his studies at a famous art school in Paris.
The Casa Cautiño shows off a style called Neoclassical architecture. You can see this in its fancy details like cornices (decorative tops), pilasters (flat columns), and Roman arches. It also has beautiful relief patterns and classic decorations. These fancy elements mix perfectly with the popular building styles of southern Puerto Rico from that time.
See also
In Spanish: Casa Cautiño para niños
