Lamine Yamal and the bathtub of Otranto

Where would a well-known brand of sneakers find an antique bathtub? Why did they want it? For an advertisement starring Lamine Yamal. He had to get in it. There aren't many places in Barcelona where you can rent one. It was easy for them to head to Otranto, on Passeig de Sant Joan between Carrer de Còrsega and Carrer de Roussillon. And yes, that's where the match. Brothers Adrià and Sandra Ortega, who have been running this business selling, renting, and restoring antique architectural elements since 2023, explain it to us.

It's an amazing place, an immense space filled with columns, doors and gateways, balusters, fireplaces, radiators, moldings, rosettes, railings, grilles, bathtubs, sinks, washbasins, and all kinds of marble, and above all, enormous quantities of hydraulic tiles. Yes, you know, the old tiles from the classic floors of the Eixample district. A true classic of Catalan architecture that has been fashionable for some years now and generates a great deal of aesthetic fascination for decorators, interior designers, and, in general, people with good taste. How many do they have? The official figure is 200,000. But it's obvious they have many more. It doesn't matter, the important thing is that for many years now, Otranto has been dedicated to recovering these kinds of discarded items from rubble and renovations, helping them breathe new life into their creation.

The two brothers also run another company that restores the recovered pieces. Until a few years ago, this work was done in the same premises, but the city council prohibited it. Rosma Barnils, who was the heart and soul of the business until 2023, explains this. Fortunately, the transition to the Ortega brothers meant leaving it in good hands. The three of them, along with Francisco, Adrià and Sandra's father—Rosma's former materials supplier—give us a masterclass on both hydraulic tiles and Nolla mosaics—the kind with small tesserae—which are much more difficult to recover and preserve. If you're interested in this subject, you might just be mesmerized in Otranto.

The origins can be traced back to the early 1980s when a group of architects and architecture students became interested in organizing themselves to recover demolition materials. The business was founded in the Clot neighborhood in 1982, and since 1984 they have been located in their current space on Passeig de Sant Joan. Rosma was the person they entrusted to take the reins and manage 65% of the company. "The boss," the two siblings say. Today, in its new phase, Otranto also carries other decorative and household items: lights, paintings, mirrors, faucets, hangers, furniture... as well as all kinds of door handles, bay windows, metal plaques... the metal fittings from antique doors, basically. All of it is traditional craftsmanship that, if the customer is interested, can also be reproduced on commission thanks to the artisans and businesses that specialize in it.

What kind of customers do you have? For example, someone who has bought a house and wants to incorporate antique architectural or decorative elements. Rosma recalls how common it was for customers to come by on Friday afternoons to pick up all the items they had purchased to take to their new second home in the Empordà region. Today, this practice has spread to the Maresme region and also to rural houses that require a vintage ambiance.

There are also customers who want to replace missing items in their homes, and if antique pieces aren't available, they're happy to have them reproduced as accurately as possible. Another option is decorators and interior designers looking for pieces for upcoming projects. We also cater to locals and visitors who want an authentic and beautiful souvenir of Barcelona. How much does a single hydraulic tile cost? 5 euros plus VAT. A single door can be purchased for around 150 euros, and a double door for 280 euros. The price increases if it includes accessories, glass, stained glass, or other decorative elements. Today, 90% of the materials that come into Otranto are purchased from trusted suppliers. Previously, it was quite common to collect scraps and debris from the street. Times change.

It's a pleasure to stroll through the shop's aisles, defined by wrought iron railings, doors, columns, and the vast array of tiles on display. It's easy to be seduced by space. Thus, Otranto has recently hosted shootings of diverse brands, filming and the ideas of all kinds of young people with initiative who need a beautiful and charming space.