This post is a photographic love letter to Casa Amatller.

Casa Amatller is another striking example of Catalan modernism, this time by architect Puig i Cadafalch. A decidedly different, but I would argue complementary, style from Antoni Gaudí (and Casa Batlló is right next door), Cadafalch was a follower of the Renaixença, a cultural movement committed to recognizing and valuing Catalan culture and nationalism. Renaixença can still be seen in Casa Amatller, but formerly frescoes including the Catalan anthem and a traditional Catalan song were hidden, likely due to fear of reprisals at the start of the Franco dictatorship.

The Interior of Casa Amatller is stylized in every nook, corner, and cranny, it is nearly exhausting to try to take it all in. Ceilings, floors, walls, and windows, no details overlooked.

So Many Ornate Light Fixtures

The Skylight

Hallways and Porticos

All the Incredible Windows

300 Years of Chocolate

One of the best parts of touring Casa Amatller is that this has been, for centuries, a home to chocolatiers. Which means warm and creamy drinking chocolate to conclude our visit. There’s also gorgeously packaged chocolate that can be purchased, and I wish we could have bought some, but the super hot weather meant it all would have been melted within minutes outside.

Here’s some background about the chocolate: Gabriel Amatller, Antoni Amatller’s grandfather, moved to Barcelona in the late 1800s, first as an apprentice chocolatier and later as a master chocolatier.

This is a deep and rich dark chocolate, lightly sweetened, served with a few slices of bread. It was a large mug of chocolate, plenty to savor. Even if you don’t participate in a tour (but I think you should) you can order a warm chocolate at the cafe – Faborit Casa Amatller.