An early work of Gaudi. Not his best work, but still shows his diversity and incredible talent. He was way ahead of his time, and still has no equal. Conical corners, modern shaped windows, and some of his iconic ironwork. Loved the warrior slaying the crocodile above the door. We were there when they had a wartime display. First floor is open and airy. Free to visit.
Designed by Antonio Gaudi, Casa Botines is just one of his three buildings outside Catalonia. Towers in the corners are meant to give some Gothic feel to the building. Nowadays Casa Botines is owned by the bank thus not publicly available. Anyway it is a nice, unusual structure from outside and worth a stop during a stroll through the streets of Leon.
You can visit the ground floor of this early Gaudi building. There are pamphlets in various languages available. No photos are allowed. Be sure to have a sit with the statue of Gaudi on a bench just outside.
La Casa Botines, es una de las obras hechas por Gaudí fuera de su Cataluña. En la entrada principal, hay una escultura de San Jorge. Y en la calle, una figura de bronce en un banco del propio Gaudí, muy bonita y elegante para hacerse una fotografía. Según me dijeron, hoy en día es propiedad de Caja España , el edificio
There is a life-size bronze statue of Antoni Gaudi sitting on a bench facing Casa Botines. This is one of his early buildings and one of his most traditional--not as fanciful as his later work, but quite beautiful. You cannot tour the building but you can walk just inside the first floor. You can sit next to Mr. Gaudi on the bench and "talk" with him. I asked him several questions and he was silent as a tomb :) but when I asked him what he thought of all of his fame, I thought I could here him say, "I don't think much of it." :)
Ejemplo de la primera etapa de Gaudí, de aspecto macizo y aire medievalista, donde aparecen elementos (chimeneas, torres rematadas con agujas cónicas, rejas de forja) que luego serán característicos de su madurez arquitectónica. Interesante por lo que anuncia pero nada que ver con sus obras posteriores.
El edificio es precioso, sobre todo por la noche, una iluminación que ayuda a disfrutar de la gran creación de Gaudi. La pega, y es muy grande a mi modo de entender las cosas, es no poder visitarlo.
Casa Botines was created in 1892 by Gaudi, during the time he worked on another building in Astorga (not far from Leon); see my review in Astorga. Very symetric and the building looks rather new. You cannot visit the building (used by a bank). The building is also on a great plaza.During our vised in september 2014 a company showed electric cars just before the building. Not very nice for the picture. Take a walk in Leon and yoo will see this very nice building. Also visit Astorga (also for the cathedral).
La Casa Botines es digna de ver y hacerle fotografías, no se puede visitar por dentro porque pertenece a un banco.Una de las pocas obras de Gaudí fuera de Cataluña.
I didn't go inside Casa de Los Botines, but there is a bronze statue of Antoni Gaudi sitting on a bench in front of Casa de los Botines, Plaza San Marcelo, Leon Spain. I took a picture of a friend who looked questioning at Mr. Gaudi. It was a nice respite to sit on the bench for a while.