Passeig de Gràcia 41,
Passeig de Gràcia

When, in 1898, modernista architect Puig i Cadafalch built this fantastic home for the wealthy Chocolate magnet, Amatller, it was the newest kid on the block. But it was soon joined by two neighbouring modernista casas, Casa Lleó Morera and Casa Batlló. Together their competing facades form the city's most famous stretch known as the 'mansana de la discordia', or 'the block of discord'.

Practically a mini palace, this sumptuous home was the original spark igniting the architectural warfare which broke out on this corner of the Eixample. Wealthy turn of the century Barcelonians, not to be outdone by eachother's displays of architectural hipness, set about commissioning a whole string of inspired creations.

You're free to sneak a peek at the ground floor hallway, where columns and tilework continue in shadowy seclusion. Look up through the stairwell to the confection of coloured glass in the ceiling above. The candy-sweet theme continues in the chocolate-brown ceiling beams, which look something like fingers of an enormous Kit Kat bar -- the whole building was built on choco-wealth after all.

contributor: Nigel Hayler