Of all the modernista buildings lining Passeig de Gràcia, Casa Lleó Morera may be the most exquisitely crafted. Designed by Lluís Domènech i Montaner and completed in 1906, it stands at the corner of Passeig de Gràcia and Carrer del Consell de Cent — the third pillar of the famous Block of Discord alongside Casa Amatller and Casa Batlló.
A Facade of Extraordinary Detail
The exterior is a riot of floral decoration: stone-carved roses, lions (the lleó of the name), mulberry trees (morera), and ceramic tile mosaics cover virtually every surface. The corner tower is crowned with a circular gallery of windows that flood the interior with diffused light. Domènech i Montaner brought in Barcelona’s finest craftsmen — sculptors, stained-glass artists, cabinetmakers, and mosaic specialists — treating the building as a total work of art.
Tragically, the ground floor was stripped of many of its original sculptures during renovations in the 1940s. But the upper floors, accessible via guided tour, remain largely intact and preserve some of the most breathtaking modernista interiors in the city.
The Interior: Stained Glass and Mosaic Splendour
Inside, the rooms feature elaborate stained-glass windows depicting scenes of early 20th-century Catalan life, mosaic floors with intricate geometric patterns, and carved wooden furniture designed specifically for the space. The main living areas have been carefully restored and give a vivid impression of how Barcelona’s wealthy bourgeoisie lived during the city’s modernista golden age.
How to Visit
Guided tours of the interior must be booked in advance via the official website. The address is Passeig de Gràcia, 35. Tours last approximately 45–60 minutes and are available in Catalan, Spanish, and English. The building is not as widely visited as its neighbours, so tours tend to be smaller and more intimate — a real advantage if you want to ask questions and explore at a relaxed pace.