Jujol Centre – Can Negre facts for kids
Can Negre is a special old house in Sant Joan Despí, Spain. It started as a farm building, called a masia in Catalonia, way back in the 1600s. Later, between 1915 and 1930, a famous architect named Josep Maria Jujol gave it a wonderful new look. He used a style called Art Nouveau, which is known for its curvy lines and nature-inspired designs.
Contents
The Story of Can Negre
At the start of the 1900s, a lawyer named Pere Negre i Jover owned Can Negre. He wanted to change his old farmhouse into a fancy home. So, he asked the architect Josep Maria Jujol to help.
Making a Farmhouse into a Fancy Home
Jujol's job was to turn the old farm building into a grand house. It also needed to fit in with the new, growing town around it. The work happened in different steps, depending on how much money Pere Negre had at the time.
- First Changes (1915–1917): Jujol started by updating the main parts of the house.
- Adding More Space (1917–1921): Next, he made the house bigger, adding new sections.
- Decorating Fun (1920–1926): Finally, Jujol added all the amazing decorations that make the house so unique.
Can Negre Today
In 1966, the Negre family gave the house to the town of Sant Joan Despí. Later, between 1984 and 1990, the house was fully fixed up. Today, the town council uses Can Negre for many fun cultural events. It is also home to the Jujol Centre – Can Negre. This center is part of the Barcelona Provincial Council Local Museum Network.
Exploring the Building's Design
The outside of Can Negre is very special. The main front of the house has wavy lines at the top. This style is similar to old Baroque buildings.
Cool Features of the Facade
Jujol kept the original windows and doors but gave them a new, artistic look. For example, the main bay window looks like a surprising carriage! Along the top edge, there are five round decorations called medallions. They spell out a Latin phrase: Ave gratia plena dominus tecum. This means "Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you."
The decorations on the outside are a mix of different materials:
- Sgraffiti: This is a way of decorating walls by scratching through a top layer of plaster to show a different color underneath.
- Trencadís: These are mosaics made from broken pieces of colorful tiles.
- Wood, Iron, and Gypsum: These materials were also used to create beautiful designs.
Inside Can Negre
When you go inside, one of the most amazing parts is the spiral staircase. It twists its way upstairs and is topped with an eight-sided dome. There's also a small chapel inside. It has an oval shape and is designed in a Baroque style.
See also
In Spanish: Centro Jujol - Can Negre para niños
