Penalva House
Introduction
This beautiful modernist house, dating from the beginning of the 20th century, located in Paseo del Santo Cristo, is a peculiar and tremendously singular work, as it is part of the purest and most refined Catalan modernism, in which Gaudí's influence is evident in the exquisite organic-vegetable decoration of the façade, characteristic of the taste of Catalan architecture of the time.
It is considered one of the architectural jewels of Huéscar, in addition to the variety of styles found inside.
It was declared an Asset of Cultural Interest on 29th June 1983.
Penalva House
Architecture
Commissioned by Don Claudio Penalva Jiménez, the house of the Penalva family is a small palace built in 1910 in the modernist style, with a clear influence of Catalan modernism. In its construction, the work of the Almerian carver, Julián Ruiz Alemán, stands out.
The façade in particular features characteristic elements of the Gaudí style, such as the organic-vegetable motifs decorating the windows and doors, as well as the gargoyles with an anthropomorphic appearance at the top, which serve to drain the roofs.
Distributed over three levels, it houses different architectural styles.
Penalva House
Courtyard
Access to the interior of the house is via a hallway which, through a modernist door, leads to the Arabic-style courtyard. Its excellent decoration stands out, based on the geometric designs of the plinths and plasterwork, which are reminiscent of those found in the Alhambra in Granada.
The lower part of the courtyard contained the public and administrative rooms, while the upper part of the courtyard gave access to private rooms.
The other elements of note are: the main staircase and upper corridor, in Arabic style, and the central fountain in white marble.
Penalva House
Interiors
On the first floor is the rococo salon or white room, with plasterwork decoration in which organic-vegetable motifs once again appear. The chapel is in the neo-Gothic style and contains a small altar with furniture in the same style. The living room is in the Art Nouveau style. The decoration of all these rooms contrasts with the sobriety of the more intimate rooms, such as the bedrooms, with hardly any decoration except for the furniture.
The semi-basement housed the domestic quarters (woodshed, kitchen, garage and cellar).
After several decades of abandonment, the town council of Huéscar acquired the palace in parts, until the process was completed in 2021.
Penalva House
Introduction
This beautiful modernist house, dating from the beginning of the 20th century, located in Paseo del Santo Cristo, is a peculiar and tremendously singular work, as it is part of the purest and most refined Catalan modernism, in which Gaudí's influence is evident in the exquisite organic-vegetable decoration of the façade, characteristic of the taste of Catalan architecture of the time.
It is considered one of the architectural jewels of Huéscar, in addition to the variety of styles found inside.
It was declared an Asset of Cultural Interest on 29th June 1983.
Penalva House
Architecture
Commissioned by Don Claudio Penalva Jiménez, the house of the Penalva family is a small palace built in 1910 in the modernist style, with a clear influence of Catalan modernism. In its construction, the work of the Almerian carver, Julián Ruiz Alemán, stands out.
The façade in particular features characteristic elements of the Gaudí style, such as the organic-vegetable motifs decorating the windows and doors, as well as the gargoyles with an anthropomorphic appearance at the top, which serve to drain the roofs.
Distributed over three levels, it houses different architectural styles.
Penalva House
Courtyard
Access to the interior of the house is via a hallway which, through a modernist door, leads to the Arabic-style courtyard. Its excellent decoration stands out, based on the geometric designs of the plinths and plasterwork, which are reminiscent of those found in the Alhambra in Granada.
The lower part of the courtyard contained the public and administrative rooms, while the upper part of the courtyard gave access to private rooms.
The other elements of note are: the main staircase and upper corridor, in Arabic style, and the central fountain in white marble.
Penalva House
Interiors
On the first floor is the rococo salon or white room, with plasterwork decoration in which organic-vegetable motifs once again appear. The chapel is in the neo-Gothic style and contains a small altar with furniture in the same style. The living room is in the Art Nouveau style. The decoration of all these rooms contrasts with the sobriety of the more intimate rooms, such as the bedrooms, with hardly any decoration except for the furniture.
The semi-basement housed the domestic quarters (woodshed, kitchen, garage and cellar).
After several decades of abandonment, the town council of Huéscar acquired the palace in parts, until the process was completed in 2021.