This Puerto Rican Town Features Its Own Gaudi-Inspired Architecture

This piece is part of a series produced by United Voices, a new Dinogo immersion initiative that unites local creators and Dinogo editors for workshops, storytelling, and shared experiences in a destination. Our journey begins in Puerto Rico.

From the robin's egg blue ceiling of Ponce Cathedral to the striking crimson and black stripes of the iconic Parque de Bombas, Ponce dazzles the senses. The city’s allure lies not only in its vibrant colors but also in its myriad of unique architectural styles. Structures resembling castle towers or intricately carved jewels are common, largely due to the influence of Ponce’s Creole architecture.

The Creole architectural movement in Ponce flourished briefly between 1910 and 1920, yet it has come to symbolize the essence of the city. During this decade, prominent architects like Alfredo Wiechers and Blas Silva Boucher crafted buildings inspired by Catalan modernism, a design trend made famous in Barcelona by Antoni Gaudí's work.

“Creole originates from criollo, which signifies taking a traditionally Spanish concept and adding a local twist to it,” shares Melina Aguilar Colón, owner of Isla Caribe Tours.

The whimsical design of Ponce's Creole architecture is no accident: As a port city, Ponce attracted migrants from across Europe in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Commissioning intricate, unique homes served as a means to display wealth and social standing. Aguilar Colón explains that Creole architecture became a way to leave a legacy; even today, many Creole buildings still feature the initials of the families who once resided there.

While San Juan boasts 65 properties on the National Register of Historic Places, Ponce closely follows with 40. Notably, Ponce is the only city in Puerto Rico included in the Ruta del Modernisme, a Spanish route highlighting 78 cities worldwide that showcase Catalan modernist architecture. According to Aguilar Colón, Ponce is one of just two locations on this route in the Caribbean, alongside Havana, Cuba.

Even the urban layout of Ponce reflects Catalan influences, with city blocks featuring a “chaflan,” which includes rounded corners and curbs that widen the intersections, facilitating easier turns. This design enhances traffic flow and minimizes noise pollution—while the city center lacks the usual car horn honking, it is filled with the melodies of chirping birds, the soothing sounds of a fountain in the main square, and the calls of ice cream vendors.

“When the street designs were established, the city enacted a regulation stating that any construction on a corner must adhere precisely to its shape. This is why many buildings appear truncated or curved,” points out Aguilar Colón.

Locations to Experience Ponce Creole Architecture

Casa Weichers-Villaronga

A stunning representation of Ponce Creole architecture is Casa Weichers-Villaronga. This vibrant pink house, situated at the intersection of Calle Reina and Calle Mendez Vigo, resembles a wedding cake with a circular decorative feature atop its roof. Once a museum, this public building is now owned by the Instituto de Cultura.

“Modernism involves capturing attention through extraordinary elements. It’s typical in modernist architecture to see conventional rules challenged; instead of a house with a flat roof, you find one topped with a crown,” explains Aguilar Colón. “And that crown features animals protruding from it.”

Regrettably, regulations imposed in the 1970s mandated that owners of historic houses preserve their properties rather than demolish and rebuild. Along with complex inheritance laws, the financial burden of repairs often outweighed the benefits for homeowners. Consequently, many buildings were lost to mysterious fires or have become neglected and abandoned. The remaining structures are a mix of privately owned, city-owned, and island-owned properties.

Casa-Font Ubides

Some properties, however, have been beautifully restored and are open for visits or overnight stays. Among these is Casa-Font Ubides, also known as Casa Monsanto. Recently launched as an Airbnb, this stunning venue boasts grand outdoor columns, wooden plank ceilings, and ornate wrought iron designs adorning the balconies, doors, and porch. (Tours for non-guests can be arranged.)

Museo de la Música Puertoriqueña

Additional noteworthy buildings include the Museo de la Música Puertoriqueña, formerly owned by the Serralles family, known for producing Don Q rum. Now government-owned, this yellow house features striking exterior crown molding and seven acroteria—decorative statues adorning the roof. The building stands as a tribute to Puerto Rican musicians and their instruments.

Museu de la História de Ponce

The Museu de la História de Ponce, also referred to as Casa Salazar, may be small, but it is thoughtfully curated and provides a comprehensive overview of Ponce’s history. Alongside the exhibits, some original stained-glass windows remain intact. Constructed in 1880 and rebuilt in 1925, this building was designed by architect Blas Silva.

To delve deeper into Ponce Creole architecture, consider joining an architecture tour with Isla Caribe Tours. These tours are offered several times a year, or can be arranged as private tours for groups of eight or more.