Can Forteza-Rey

Monuments | Palma de Mallorca

It was designed by its developer and owner, goldsmith Lluís Forteza-Rey. Its characteristics are in keeping with the Art Nouveau modernist trend, which extraordinarily prolongs the stylistic decoration of the façade to the interior. This demonstrates the strong influence of Catalan modernism, especially some of Gaudí’s works (Casa Batlló and Parque Güell). It is very likely that Lluís Forteza-Rey knew Gaudí, even if only because his father, Josep, was the goldsmith for the Cathedral (remember that the building coincides with the refurbishment works that Gaudí was undertaking in the Cathedral). It was originally designed as a five-storey apartment building. Forteza-Rey was responsible for the interior design and the plans for the façade. The eye-catching, abundant sculptural decoration in the galleries and viewpoints are superimposed on the stretch of wall that features botanical, floral and animal motifs. A highlight of these motifs is a grotesque face, flanked by two winged dragons on the second floor. We should further comment on the richness of the decorative treatment in which the use of fragmented multi-coloured, irregularly arranged tiles (trencadís) is the protagonist.