an aerial view of a city with lots of orange buildings

El Bosc de les Fades

El Bosc de les Fades (The Fairy Forest): History of the Domènec Balet Building (1878)

Known today as a magical oasis in the heart of Barcelona, El Bosc de les Fades is much more than the Wax Museum's unique bar. Architecturally, this ground-floor property is a historical piece designed by Master Builder Domènec Balet i Nadal in the 19th century, preserving its original structure to this day.

Architectural Origin: Francisco Barret's Warehouse

In 1878, Domènec Balet was commissioned by Mr. Francisco Barret Duet to build this structure at number 7 Passatge de la Banca. Unlike the large adjacent banking buildings, Balet designed a functional ground-floor structure here.

Given its typology and strategic location, historical research suggests that its original use was as a warehouse or auxiliary facility to service the intense commercial activity of the passageway at that time.

Evolution: From Warehouse to Fantasy Icon (1993)

In 1993, this historic ground floor underwent a radical transformation in its interior design, becoming El Bosc de les Fades. The venue was designed as the final stage of the Wax Museum tour, offering an immersive experience.

However, the walls that house this "forest" and the museum's ticket offices are still the ones that Domènec Balet erected nearly 150 years ago, integrating industrial heritage into today's leisure offerings.

Project Fact Sheet

Project: Ground-Floor Building (Current Bosc de les Fades).
Architect: Domènec Balet i Nadal.
Year built: 1878.
Original client: Mr. Francisco Barret Duet.
Location: 7 Passatge de la Banca (Barcelona).
Typology: Warehouse / Commercial.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What was El Bosc de les Fades before? Before its thematic opening in 1993, the building was a commercial and storage structure originally built in 1878 by architect Domènec Balet.

Who built the El Bosc de les Fades building? The original architectural structure is the work of Domènec Balet i Nadal, who designed this ground-floor annex commissioned by Francisco Barret.