A brick mansion: La Miralda Manor, Alella

La Miralda, a cultural heritage site in Alella, Catalonia, Spain, is a time capsule, the product of centuries of continuous ownership and restoration. The current architecture, dating back to 1951, was restored under the direction of architect Francesc Mitjans i Miró. However, its roots go back much further, to the early 1800s. Carles Torrents i Miralda, a merchant from Manresa, acquired a vineyard in Alella in 1833, and built a new house there, work that took until 1856 to complete.

The current address, Riera Principal 2, was added in 1951. The manor was owned by the Torrents family until 1899, when it was passed to the Lluçà family. In 1900, it was purchased by the Oliva-Rifà family, who held it until 1998. The property was then sold at a public auction. La Miralda's architectural style is a blend of classical and neo-classical elements. The brickwork, both structural and decorative, is a standout feature, particularly evident in the pavilion in the garden, which is hexagonal in shape and features six pitched roofs. This structure contrasts with the other classical elements in the garden, such as fountains, urns, and balustrades.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons