Casa Martí facts for kids
The Casa Martí is a beautiful building in Barcelona, Spain. It was designed in 1896 by a famous architect named Josep Puig i Cadafalch. A rich family, the Vilumaras, asked him to build it. You can find it at Carrer Montsió, 3.
Contents
What Makes Casa Martí Special?
This building looks a bit different from other buildings in Barcelona. It has a style called Modernisme, which was popular a long time ago.
Cool Design Features
- On the ground floor, you'll see big, pointed arches. These arches have colorful stained-glass windows.
- The windows on the upper floors have interesting decorations.
- The balconies have a fancy, wavy design. This style is called Flamboyant.
Art on the Outside
The outside of Casa Martí is like an art gallery!
- You can see sculptures made by Eusebi Arnau.
- There's also amazing metalwork, called wrought iron, created by Manuel Ballarín.
- On the corner of the building, there's a statue of Saint Joseph. The original statue was made by Josep Llimona. It was sadly broken during the Civil War. A new copy was put there in 2000.
Changes Over Time
Casa Martí is over 100 years old. It has changed a bit since it was first built. For example, the original decorated doorway, called a lintel, is no longer there.
The Famous Els Quatre Gats Tavern
On the ground floor of Casa Martí, you'll find a famous old tavern called Els Quatre Gats.
- From 1897 to 1903, this place was a very important spot for artists and thinkers in Barcelona.
- Many famous people visited, including artists like Ramon Casas, Santiago Rusiñol, and even young Pablo Picasso. They would eat and drink here.
Inside the Tavern
Ramon Casas helped make the inside of Els Quatre Gats look special.
- He paid for the round lights hanging from the ceiling.
- He also bought the old-fashioned furniture designed by Puig i Cadafalch.
- One of his most famous gifts was a painting. It showed two men, Pere Romeu (who owned the tavern) and Casas himself, riding a bicycle built for two. The painting you see in the bar today is a copy. The original is in the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya art museum.
A Place for Artists
After the tavern's busiest years, Casa Martí became home to the Cercle Artístic de Sant Lluc. This was an art club where artists met and worked. They used the building from 1903 to 1936.
A Protected Building
Because Casa Martí is so important, it was declared an "Asset of National Cultural Interest" on January 9, 1976. This means it's a very special building that needs to be protected.
Images for kids
-
The entrance to Casa Martí.
-
Inside the Els Quatre Gats tavern.
-
The outside of Casa Martí.
See also
- List of Modernisme buildings in Barcelona
In Spanish: Casa Martí para niños
Sources
· Translated from Catalan Wikipedia
