Casa Villaescusa, Orihuela

Casa Villaescusa is one of the most distinctive townhouses in the historic center of Orihuela, a city in the province of Alicante. Standing on a corner of Calle Colón, the building is better known locally by its nickname than by its official name — most residents will point you toward "Galerías Colón" rather than "Casa Villaescusa."

What will you see?

The building dates from 1915 and was designed by Severiano Sánchez Ballesta, an architect born in Orihuela. It's considered one of the best-preserved examples of Valencian modernism in the city — a decorative style that flourished among wealthy families and financial institutions across the Comunidad Valenciana around the turn of the 20th century.

The structure has a ground floor, two upper residential floors, and a shorter attic level. The most eye-catching feature is a round, glazed corner mirador (bay window) with modernist-style glasswork, projecting outward so it offers views along both streets meeting at the corner. The upper section of the façade is painted a distinctive sky blue, standing out against the darker lower floors. Look closely at the balconies and railings too — the wrought-iron work is decorated with floral motifs typical of the ornamental richness of modernist architecture.

The nickname "Galerías Colón" comes from an old shop that once operated inside the building facing Calle Colón, and the name stuck harder in local memory than the family name on the deed. The building's institutional history is worth knowing as well: for decades it served as the headquarters of Caja de Ahorros Nuestra Señora de Monserrate, a local savings bank that was later absorbed into Caja de Ahorros del Mediterráneo (CAM). Interestingly, the townhouse was built on a plot that had previously held a pósito — an old municipal grain store belonging to the palace of the Counts of Pinohermoso, one of the city's historic noble families.

How do you get there?

Casa Villaescusa sits right in the heart of Orihuela's old town, within easy walking distance of the cathedral and the main square, so arriving on foot is by far the simplest option. Drivers should look for parking around the streets bordering the historic center, since Calle Colón itself runs through a pedestrian zone of narrow lanes typical of the old quarter. Orihuela has its own train station and good bus connections to both Alicante and Murcia, from where a short bus or taxi ride brings you straight into the old town.

When should you visit?

The façade is best appreciated in daylight, when sunlight brings out the blue tones of the upper floor and the detail in the wrought-iron balconies. Spring and autumn are the most pleasant seasons for walking through Orihuela's old town — summer temperatures in the region can climb quite high, making long midday strolls through the historic center less comfortable.

Casa Villaescusa pairs naturally with a wider walk through the old quarter, where this modernist façade stands just steps from monuments dating back to the Middle Ages.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Casa Villaescusa and Galerías Colón the same building? Yes. Casa Villaescusa is the official name, while Galerías Colón is the popular nickname that stuck because of a shop that once operated there.

What architectural style is the building? It's a 1915 example of Valencian modernism, designed by architect Severiano Sánchez Ballesta.

Can visitors go inside? The building is used for residential and commercial purposes, so visits are generally limited to viewing the façade and mirador from the street.

What makes the façade stand out? The round glazed corner mirador, the sky-blue upper façade, and the wrought-iron railings decorated with floral motifs.