MODERNIST ITINERARY
MODERNIST ITINERARY - The American Legacy in Blanes
Length: 1 kilometre (approx.)
Description: During the XIX century around 2,000 Blanes townspeople emigrated to America to make their fortune. The majority of these Americans never managed to make great fortunes, but they did make enough to support a comfortable lifestyle. The few that did make a fortune built summer homes in the town, generally along the Paseo de Mar or on Calle Esperanza, and generally in a West Indian style. In addition, it fits to highlight that some West Indians participated and fomented Blanes\' cultural life with the economic assistance they provided. For example, collaborating with the creation of and improvements to the Hospital Sant Jaume, the Colegio Blandense, the Mont-Ferrant cellars, the Santuario del Vilar, the parish church of Santa Maria and the Casa de la Villa.
The arrival of Americans in Blanes is visible through the houses that remain standing, though many were demolished during the demographic and touristic boom of the second half of the 20th century, and also through the documentation saved by families and the municipal archives.
Points of interest en route:
- Can Alemany (calle Dr. Xavier Brunet, 17). Constructed by Joan Alemán Font with the fortune he made in the liquor business in Havana.
- Can Massó (paseo de Dintre, 2). A house constructed as part of the dowry of Felisa Massó, daughter of the heirs to the great fortune made by Salvador Massó.
- Ca la Teresina Savoia (paseo de Dintre, 26). The house of marriage formed through the union of Teresa Ferrer to the prestigious doctor Joaquim Albareda.
- Can Nonell (calle Esperança, 8). The brothers José and Francisco Nonell were among the richest Americans from Blanes, wealthly thanks to their Havana businesses and, thereafter, businesses in Barcelona.
- Can Gallet (calle Esperança,14). One of the most luxurious houses in Blanes, built by Bonaventura Puig Torrent, mayor of the city in 1898, upon his return from Cuba.
- Can Panxo Gordo (Calle Esperança, 24). Thanks to profits obtained presiding over a bodega in Havana, Francesc Vieta Ribas built the house of which, today, the main facade is conserved.
- Ca l’Andreu (paseo de Dintre, 34). Built by Josep Andreu Ferrer, this house served as the summer residence for the poet Joan Maragall.
- Casa de l’estrella (calle Esperança, 36). The residence of Emilia Granés Vieta. The name originates from the numerous corners the house has due to its shape (star).
Can Vieta (paseo de la Mestrança, 88). Josep Vieta Llinàs went to Cuba where he invested in trolleys and presided over an egg business of considerable size. - Other houses that have preserved direct links with Blanes families overseas:
- Can Bitlloch (calle Bellaire, 37).
- Can Pa i alls (calle Esperança, 55).
- Can Capó (paseo de la Mestrança, 83).
- Cal Rosa (calle Anselm Clavé, 24).
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