The 365 Windows of Casa Carbonell: A Story Shrouded in Legends

Casa Carbonell in Alicante, located at the first two numbers of the Explanada de España, continues to be a topic of much discussion. A century has passed since its construction between 1922 and 1924, and its origins have been the subject of many legends passed down through generations.

The reality, as explained by María José Gómez Reus and Elsa Gómez Reus to TodoAlicante, is that their great-grandfather Enrique Carbonell eyed the land of the old Puerta del Mar market - the predecessor of the current Central Market - back in 1918. After obtaining municipal permits, he commissioned architect Juan Vidal Ramos to construct the building.

A century ago, the façade of Casa Carbonell was completed, awaiting the final touches on its interior. However, its initiator never resided in his main dwelling, reserved for himself. Enrique Carbonell died prematurely, and his eldest daughter, Enriqueta Carbonell Sempere, occupied the residence.

The Alcoyan entrepreneur, "very honourable and publicly recognised," as the family emphasises, commissioned the construction of Casa Carbonell for two reasons: to expand his business - a textile factory - and for the health of his other daughter, Herminia Carbonell, "delicate of heart." However, she was not pleased to leave Alcoi and decided to remain in the city of bridges.

In contrast, her elder sister, Enriqueta, was enamoured with Alicante and did not hesitate to reside in Casa Carbonell. It was in the provincial capital where she met her great love, her husband Alfonso Reus, with whom she had descendants, reaching today to the great-great-grandchildren.

The legends about Casa Carbonell remain, like the building itself, alive for a century. Many include the adjacent property, the former Hotel Palas of Alicante. These say that Enrique Carbonell went to its reception to request the best room and was allegedly denied due to his appearance, supposedly covered in dust.

Enrique Carbonell's family clarifies that this "is not true, it is a contradiction," as the Alcoyan was "an important industrialist, a patron of the arts, and a man of great fortune." They also exclaim, "How could someone who owned a Hispano-Suiza and sent his daughters to the best school in Spain go in such a manner?"

This legend has also suffered the effects of the 'Chinese whispers.' "They have even said he came on a donkey and a horse." Nevertheless, Enrique Carbonell's descendants know well that stopping these rumours "is impossible" and prefer to see it as a "romantic legend" rather than an attack on their great-grandfather. However, they do wish for the great-grandfather's name to remain as it is, with the truth being told.

And indeed, the Alcoyan held various public positions such as deputy mayor of his hometown and president of the Association of Knitwear Manufacturers. He was also ahead of his time. Again, the story: he named his eldest daughter Enriqueta when "it was normal in those times to want male children." He could have named her Adelina after his wife, but he honoured the grandmother of María José and Elsa.

The current owner of the main residence of Casa Carbonell claims to have heard tour guides spreading legends in front of the façade. "He said the house was a family home," when its floors have separate and independent residences. Also, that "it was built so that his daughter, who loved to get fresh air, could look out of a window every day, and that's why there are 365."

The number of windows is the only correct aspect, affirms Elsa Gómez Reus. Why? They do not know, but they are counted on its four façades: main, sides, and rear. Of all these legends, she assures along with her sister that "we do not know where they have come from, they are contradictions."

However, within the family, there is an unresolved question about why Elsa was named so. "We think it was because my grandfather was a fan of (Richard) Wagner," hence he might have decided to honour the composer. "My mother was born in 1927," a time when this name was uncommon. According to the National Institute of Statistics, only 21 women were registered in the Spanish census as Elsa before 1930, among them the descendant of Enrique Carbonell.