Hotel Granvia - Barcelona, Spain
Posted by: 
manchanegra
N 41° 23.398 E 002° 10.175
31T E 430573 N 4582381
Hotel Granvia is a Hotel in the center of Barcelona.
Waymark Code: WMC8VN
Location: Cataluña, Spain
Date Posted: 08/09/2011
Views: 18
The building of Hotel Granvia was built in 1870 as bourgeois palace, by 19th century Catalan architect Jeroni Granell. It was commissioned by the Serra-Chopitea family, primary owners of the Maquinista Terrestre y Marítima Company and founding members of the First Bank of Barcelona, established in 1845.
The original owners of the palace, Josep Maria Serra Muñoz and Dorotea de Chopitea y de Villota, both born in Chile as descendants of Spanish aristocracy, had six children. In 1873, they moved into the palace-house Gran Via in the heart of the Eixample neighborhood and in 1882, lady Dorotea, now widowed, began to devote more of her energies to improving the lives of her fellow Barcelona citizens, and supporting various social projects, particularly the construction of churches, schools, hospitals and residences, such as the Tibidabo Temple or the Children Hospital San Joan de Deu. She maintained regular correspondence with Saint John Bosco and his successor, the Blessed Miguel Rúa, and also contributed generously to the founding of other projects in Chile and in Barcelona. She was declared Venerable by Pope John Paul II on 1983, and her possible beatification is currently under review. Her biography, by Salesian historian Ramón Alberdi, was published by Edebé Publishing House.
In addition to serving as the residence of the Serra-Chopitea family, the palace was also one of the headquarters for the Artistic Circle of Barcelona, founded in 1881, also known briefly as the Centro de Acuarelistas (watercolor painters’ center). In 1916 King Alfonso XIII honoured it as it the Royal Artistic Circle of Barcelona. Its enduring principal objective is to promote and support all forms of cultural and artistic expression. The Organization played a leading role in the artistic and social life of Barcelona, particularly towards the end of the 19th century and the first decades of the 20th century. It coordinated many cultural and artistic festivals, dances, and folk celebrations. Its presidents have included most of the Catalan literates and personalities of the period, such as painter Santiago Rusiñol.
The hotel first opened its doors to guests in 1935. Today, its rooms still feature original 19th century furnishings and décor, which lend it elegance, class and distinction.
During its long and interesting history, Hotel Granvia has served as location on numerous films, TV serials and photo magazines.
From hotel website
Name of the Hotel: Hotel Granvia
Address:
Gran Vía, 642
08007 - Barcelona
Number of Rooms: 53
Height in floors: 5
Hotel Rating: Historical Hotel
Hotel since: 01/01/1935
Date Building was built: 01/01/1870
First use of building:
Family house
Historic Hotel (Historic Building, National Monument or similar): no
Urban Hotel (located in a village or town): yes
Mountains Nearby (less than 25 Kms / 15 Mil): no
Beachs Nearby (less than 25 Kms / 15 Mil): yes
Historic Place nearby (Unesco or National monument/site less than 25 Kms / 15 Mil): yes
Major Pilgrimage Place Nearby (less than 25 Kms / 15 Mil. Consider any religion).: no
Hotel website (if available): [Web Link]
|
Visit Instructions:
Photo of Hotel and your impressions of it.