To spot the Madrilenian House, look straight ahead for a tall, narrow building with a pale blue and white façade, three elegant balconies with swirling ironwork, and a very decorative top floor, nestled right between its taller neighbors.
Welcome to the Madrilenian House, a jewel of modernist architecture designed in 1912 by Pablo Monguió for the Garzarán family. Imagine you’re standing here in the busy Plaza Carlos Castel over a hundred years ago. The ground floor once buzzed with life, as locals scurried in and out of a bustling shop-so much so, the whole house got its nickname from that original business!
Here’s a fun fact: even though its plot is just around 4.6 meters wide-hardly wide enough for a sleepwalking giraffe-the architect made up for it by turning the façade into an artistic masterpiece. The light blue and white colors, together with the fabulous iron balconies, make it feel almost like a birthday cake for a house! Just look up and see that giant oval around the windows, surrounded by playful swirls and delicate flowers. Up top, curving shapes bend and fold, almost like icing on a fancy pastry. Does anyone else feel suddenly hungry, or is it just me?
Notice those wooden beams supporting the roof? They’re decorated with sparkling ceramics, and it’s here where floral garlands seem to hang down, as if a party’s about to start. A closer look at the ironwork might just reveal some surprise visitors-like stylized butterflies or winding vines-woven right into the balcony railings by the genius craftsman Matías Abad.
This house isn’t just beautiful; it tells the story of Teruel’s thriving, ambitious middle class of the early 1900s-people who wanted their homes to show off their style, fashion, and just a little bit of swagger. Although its inside has seen some changes, the exterior you see now is nearly as authentic as the day it was built. Imagine all the laughter, drama, and secrets that have fluttered behind these pale blue shutters-oh, if these walls could talk, we might never leave this spot!
