Casa de les Punxes (House of Spikes), Barcelona

Known locally as Casa de les Punxes (the "House of Spikes") due to its distinctive pointed turrets, this apartment block resembles a fairy-tale castle and stands as the magnum opus of architect Josep Puig i Cadafalch. Despite facing controversy in the past due to its unconventional Northern European appearance, the house is now hailed as one of the greatest landmarks of Catalan Modernism.

Interestingly, the grand and eccentric structure, deviating from the prevailing architectural norms, is also the only fully detached building in the entire Eixample district. With six towers and three separate entrances, it was constructed in 1903 for the three daughters of the Terrada family – Àngela, Josefa, and Rosa – each of whom owned a house forming an entire corner of a city block. Thus, the architect ingeniously merged these three individual buildings into the impressive triangular complex seen today.

Sadly, over time, subsequent residents have stripped away much of the original furniture and embellishments from the interior. On the ground floor, you'll now find a gift shop and a café-bar. The self-guided tours of the apartments above begin with a multimedia presentation recounting the legend of Saint George and the dragon, as the architect adorned one of the facades with an image of Catalonia's patron saint.

Inside the building, informative panels provide further insights into the architect Cadafalch and his works. By taking an elevator to the roof terrace, you can closely admire the towers and ascend them at your own pace. The largest tower, spanning three levels, offers a privileged view of the city, providing a truly memorable experience.