Historic mansion for public use right in the heart of Barcelona. The Sessa-Larrard Palace is a Renaissance jewel from the 18th century. Through the processing of a Special Plan and the comprehensive remodelling of the property, it is intended to transform it into a reference facility in the centre of the city.
Palacio Sessa-Larrard | Ancha 28 | Barcelona
Historic mansion for public use right in the heart of Barcelona. The Sessa-Larrard Palace is a Renaissance jewel from the 18th century. Through the processing of a Special Plan and the comprehensive remodelling of the property, it is intended to transform it into a reference facility in the centre of the city.
The property at Carrer Ample 28 in Barcelona was built for the Duke of Sessa between 1772 and 1778 before being bought by the Danish consul and wealthy banker Joan de Larrard in 1799, since when it has been known as the “Sessa-Larrard Palace”.
This property is included in the Catalogue of Historic – Artistic Architectural Heritage of the City of Barcelona and catalogued as Type B. The structure of the building belongs to a classicist language with the odd Baroque addition, typical of Catalan academicist architecture.
The main entrance, located on the main thoroughfare of Carrer Ample, leads onto a large lobby area and a huge, central courtyard from where a fine stairway leads to the first storey. The central courtyard connects with different galleries that, in turn, act as a real lightwell.
Sessa-Larrard house was one of the most luxurious homes in Barcelona of its time, formed by a large central courtyard and spacious lounges.
The main element of the façade are the fantastic entrance door and the balcony sheltering it, with fluted Corinthian columns standing in front of pedestals to support the floor of the balcony formed by elements of entablature.
The balcony is framed by two pilasters and their crowning, the cast iron handrail of the balcony is a entirely Baroque design, and all the embellishments on the capitals and mouldings are based on classical models, and the adornments are fully of flowers and fruit to form a fantastically composed and well studied ensemble that stands out against the bare façade.
The façades end with a sharp cornice with evenly-spaces gargoyles in the shape of women’s heads. Three stone arches framed by mouldings support the vaults at the entrance. In the courtyard, the huge, monumental stairway and all the walls are simply adorned with oeils-de-boeuf that provide light to the interior rooms.
The banister on the staircase is designed with repeat topics similar to that of the balcony in Carrer Ample. The entrance door to the main living room is framed by marble pilasters and entablatures that support a basket of flowers and the coat of arms of the Sessa-Larrard house.