Barcelona's Casa el Pirata restored by architect Raúl Sánchez for Manuel and Nuria Cuyàs

In Mataró, Barcelona, Spain, the historic home of 19th-century pirate Antoni Cuyàs has undergone restoration. Architect Raúl Sánchez renovated three rooms—the entrance hall, dining room, and pirate's room—for current owners Manuel Cuyàs and his wife Nuria, who are the pirate's great-great-grandson and his spouse. Antoni Cuyàs, born in Mataró in 1802, sailed to Argentina at age eighteen, becoming a feared pirate targeting Brazilian ships before amassing wealth and advising presidents. He returned to Mataró in 1865, purchasing and merging two houses into a residence styled after Argentine palaces, with Italian artists commissioned for the work. The restoration faced challenges including pipes, wires, and cracks from previous additions, with smaller cracks intentionally left unrepaired to preserve character. Contemporary elements like a stainless-steel plinth, which functions as sofa, storage, and workspace, contrast with restored period paintings, preserved wallpaper, and original terracotta flooring. Modern amenities such as electrical wiring, cooling systems, and a television are concealed in features like a mirrored cabinet with a glossy yellow interior. The pirate's room is now heritage-listed, and Sánchez aimed to create a unified space that feels grand yet avoids museum-like coldness, honoring the past while meeting present needs.