Can Prunera

Can Prunera is a modernist townhouse in Sóller, Mallorca, now home to a museum of modern art run by the Fundació Tren de l'Art. Built in the early 20th century, it counts among the island's most striking examples of modernist architecture, drawing heavily on French Art Nouveau rather than the Catalan modernisme more familiar from Barcelona.

Who built this house, and why?

The mansion went up between 1909 and 1911, commissioned by the Magraner family — one of several Sóller households that made their fortune trading citrus fruit in France and then poured that wealth into grand residences back home. Because Sóller's merchants dealt so closely with France, local architects and craftsmen leaned on French Art Nouveau models rather than the Barcelona school, which is why the building reads so differently from other Modernista landmarks on the island.

What stands out in the design?

The façade is built around flowing, sinuous lines, plant motifs carved into the stonework, and delicate wrought-iron work on balconies and window frames. Inside, the original hydraulic tile floors survive in bright geometric and floral patterns, alongside period woodwork and stained glass that fills the rooms with color on sunny days. Walking through the layout gives a good sense of how a wealthy merchant family organized a showcase home at the turn of the century, from the formal reception rooms to the service areas.

What is on display inside the museum?

The building has operated as an art museum since 2009, opening its doors on 24 August to coincide with Sóller's patron saint festival for Sant Bartomeu. The permanent collection centers on Mallorcan artists, Juli Ramis among them, alongside internationally known names such as Joan Miró, Paul Klee, and Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec. A separate strand of the exhibition consists of sculptures from the D'Art Serra collection, several of which are placed in the garden surrounding the house. The museum also runs interactive spaces aimed at families with children, a small shop selling art-related items, and a café for a break between galleries.

How should you plan a visit?

Can Prunera sits right in central Sóller, within walking distance of the main square and the terminus of the vintage tram line that runs down to the port. It pairs naturally with a walk through town, since Sóller itself is full of modernist façades — smaller in scale, but part of the same architectural moment. Given the modest size of the exhibition space, a visit typically takes about an hour to ninety minutes, easy to fit into a day trip around the Sóller valley.

Frequently asked questions

Who built Can Prunera and when? The house was built between 1909 and 1911 for the Magraner family, who made their money trading citrus fruit in France and invested it in a landmark residence in Sóller.

Why does the building look different from typical Catalan modernisme? Because of Sóller's close trading ties with France, the design draws directly on French Art Nouveau rather than the modernisme style developed in Barcelona.

What can you see inside the museum? The collection features Juli Ramis and other Mallorcan artists alongside figures like Joan Miró and Paul Klee, plus sculptures from the D'Art Serra collection displayed in the garden.

How long does a visit to Can Prunera take? Most visitors need about an hour to ninety minutes, making it easy to combine with a walk through central Sóller.