Casa Botines is a modernist building on Plaza de San Marcelo in León, designed by Antoni Gaudí and built in 1891 and 1892. It is one of only three works by him outside Catalonia. Its neo-Gothic façade, with pointed towers and irregular stonework, looks more like a medieval castle than a city building. Inside, the house is now a museum about its own history and Gaudí's work, with original sketches, furniture, and an audio guide that explains symbolism hidden in the design. Give time to the rooms, then look at the façade again in the evening, when it is lit.
Gaudí's first apartment building
Gaudí had just worked on Palau Güell in Barcelona when he took on Casa Botines. It was the first apartment building he designed.
Two businessmen commissioned the house as a residential and commercial building. The ground floor held a fabrics warehouse, and the floors above held luxury homes. Gaudí built it in 1891 and 1892.
From textile warehouse to bank to museum
The building later became a bank. It housed one until 2017, when it opened as a museum.
Today the house is home to the España-Duero Foundation and a museum dedicated to modernism and Gaudí. The museum follows the history of the house itself, as well as Gaudí's life and work.
What to see inside
Display boards in Spanish and English document how the building was constructed. Original sketches and furniture by Gaudí are on show, and some rooms are reconstructed to reflect the period. Preserved office spaces also remain from the building's time as a bank.
The art collection includes Goya's Los Caprichos etchings, which are on the third floor. Works by Dalí and Goya are also part of the displays. Temporary exhibitions are held in the building, so check what is on before you visit.
The attic is open only on a guided tour, and that tour is given in Spanish. An English-language guided tour has also been offered for a small extra charge.
The outside of the building
The façade combines Gothic elements with Gaudí's modernist style. It has asymmetrical features and playful details, and the stonework and pointed towers give the building its castle-like look. It is a neo-Gothic building that stands out in León's otherwise traditional Castilian streets.
Casa Botines sits on Plaza de San Marcelo, about five minutes from the cathedral. The old town, where the cathedral and the building are both found, is about 15 minutes on foot from one to the other.
Access and visiting with children
The entrance, elevator, and restroom are wheelchair accessible, and so is the parking lot. Tours for visually impaired visitors are also offered.
Families will find kid-friendly activities and a discount for children. The site also has a gift shop and a restaurant on site.
Häufige Fragen
Is there an entry fee?
Yes. Admission is charged, and buying tickets in advance is recommended.
Is it accessible for visitors using a wheelchair?
Yes. The entrance, elevator, restroom, and parking lot are wheelchair accessible. Tours are also offered for visually impaired visitors.
Is Casa Botines suitable for children?
Yes. The site lists kid-friendly activities and a discount for children.
Can you go into the attic?
The attic is open only on a guided tour, and that tour is given in Spanish. An English-language guided tour has also been offered for a small extra charge.
