Saving Barcelona, Tile by Tile
Archaeologist Marc Ocaña has dedicated over a decade to preserving Barcelona’s heritage through the recovery and restoration of its displaced tiles. His Instagram account, @tilehunters, serves as a vital archive, where he meticulously documents each discovery, inspecting the design, historical context, and thematic significance. With Marc’s help, we’ve curated a selection of his salvaged tiles that celebrate the beauty of botanical motifs, all the while exploring his passion for restoration.
Original location: 10 Vilamur Street | Estimated production year: 1915 | Designer: Adrià Gual | Manufacturer: Pujol i Bausis factory
Hi Marc! Tell us, what sparked your interest in tile preservation?
Well, although I studied archaeology, my true passion has always been restoration. So, after graduating in 2015, I gained practical experience in excavation work, which led me to an opportunity with a restoration company. Here, I met an older man named Josep, who became my mentor and introduced me to ancient restoration techniques using lime mortar. Since then, I’ve dedicated my career to restoring historic buildings in Barcelona and tile hunting in my spare time.
So tile hunting isn’t your full-time job?
No [he smiles]. It often surprises people that it’s not my professional work. I don’t do it for profit (although I know many people who do). Instead, it’s for documentation to retain the city’s history.
In that case, what’s been happening at work?
Currently, I’m working with my team at Chroma to restore some of the most important buildings in the Barcelona area.
Original location: Vilanova i la Geltrú (Barcelona)| Estimated production year: 1900-1915 | Designer: Lluís Bru i Salellas | Manufacturer: Hijo de Jaime Pujol i Bausis.
Original location: Can Llopis | Estimated production year: 1910 | Designer: Unknown | Manufacturer: Onda/Manises
Original location: Unknown | Estimated production year: Early 1900s | Designer: Unknown | Manufacturer: El Leon, Onda factory
Why are ceramic tiles and hydraulic mosaics so important to Barcelona?
The earliest documented ceramic tiles in Barcelona date back to the 15th century, embellishing floors and walls with intricate patterns and vibrant colours. This decorative practice continued over the centuries. However, in the mid-1800s, as Barcelona expanded, hydraulic tiles arrived, introducing a new cement-based manufacturing method from France that offered a more affordable and scalable solution.
During this period, the production of both ceramic and hydraulic tiles boomed, evolving with the city’s development, and becoming deeply embedded in its architectural and cultural fabric. Currently, there are roughly 50 tile factories in Barcelona, and the majority still use the hydraulic method. But, despite the high quality of new tiles, the older ones are still the most valuable because as they age, they harden, increasing in physical and historical value.
Does the city have any policies around tile preservation?
Generally no, the protection rules only preserve the facades and interiors, leaving the conservation of the modernist interiors in the hands of the owners. Only some of the most important houses have a special protection regime that tries to protect their entirety, although it does not succeed in some cases either. This is a big part of why I created @tilehunters — to raise awareness. And beyond my Instagram account, I’ve also managed to do three exhibitions in the province of Tarragona.
Original location: Calle Sindicato nº6, Palma de Mallorca | Estimated production year: 1890-1910 | Designer: unknown | Manufacturer: Hijo de Jaime Pujol i Bausis
Original location: Calle Sindicato nº6, Palma de Mallorca | Estimated production year: 1900-1920 | Designer: unknown | Manufacturer: Onda?
Original location: Pallars Street | Estimated production year: 1890-1920 | Designer: unknown | Manufacturer: Ribó y Estapé - Badalona factory
Original location: Calle Sardenya 248 | Estimated production year: 1920 | Designer: unknown | Manufacturer: Bulet y Cervera factory
What’s your approach to tile hunting?
Because my intention is not to profit from the pieces, I usually take four of each design for historical research and record keeping. But since the pieces don’t weigh much, I often try to collect more — whatever my back can handle.
Where do you go to discover tiles?
You can find mosaics in most neighbourhoods of Barcelona. They normally appear in areas with buildings built between 1850 and 1930. But most are found in Eixample, especially on the most gentrified streets.
How do you determine the age and original location of a tile?
I usually research old factory catalogues to discover the age, many of which date back to the 1800s. I only need the manufacturer’s name, typically stamped on each tile's back. Then, with this information, I can research the relevant catalogues to find the design and the year of manufacture.
As for the location, I often learn this upon collecting the tiles, which I tend to discover in rubble bags outside their construction sites. But when I’m unsure, I just ask the homeowners or construction workers.
A page from the Antonio Bayarri Hnos factory’s Azulejos catalogue.
A section of Marc’s tile warehouse, where he stores his entire collection.
Original location: Castellar del Vallès | Estimated production year: 1913-1936 | Designer: Unknown | Manufacturer: Cosme Toda factory
Original location: unknown | Estimated production year: 1895-1920 | Designer: Teòtim Fortuny | Manufacturer: Teòtim Fortuny factory
Where do you store all of these tiles?
In a small building near Tarragona, where my mother was born. It used to be an old blacksmith’s workshop; now, I use it as a warehouse. I have about 2000 tiles stored here. Roughly 80% were found by me. The rest are donations and tiles I’ve purchased from individuals.
Do people ever ask to purchase the tiles?
Although I’m not dedicated to selling tiles, I have sold a few pieces to help people complete the restoration of a floor. This way, it also contributed to the preservation of the tiles. And in exceptional cases, I have sold some pieces to individuals to hang on the wall as art.
Original location: Sant Pau Hospital | Estimated production year: 1900-1910 | Designer: Lluis Domenech i Montaner | Manufacturer: Pujol i Bausis factory
Original location: Sant Pau Hospital | Estimated production year: 1900-1910 | Designer: Lluis Domenech i Montaner | Manufacturer: Pujol i Bausis factory
Inside the current rehabilitation of La Puríssima at Sant Pau Hospital, where many important decorative elements have been removed.
Within your collection, which tile do you believe is most significant?
Probably an original Gaudí tile designed exclusively for the Batlló house in 1904. But, funnily enough, due to manufacturing problems, these tiles did not arrive on time for construction, and Gaudí finally placed them in La Pedrera.
I also have some important tiles from two UNESCO (world heritage) sites: Sant Pau Hospital [pictured above] and Palau de la Musica. The pieces from Sant Pau were rescued by a retired doctor who saw them thrown away. And as for Palau de la Musica, these were owned by the daughter of a stained glass restorer, who rescued them during a restoration a few years ago.
Do you have a personal favourite tile?
Yes! It’s an early 20th-century piece that depicts a dragon. My dad actually printed the design onto a t-shirt for me [he laughs]. But I would like to get tattooed one day. The tile manufacturer, Teòtim Fortuny, is a factory that I particularly love because of its focus on animal designs.
One last question: are you planning to host more tile exhibitions?
Yes, definitely. Although, finding venues can be challenging as these exhibitions often confront the City Council’s policies. But I’m not asking for every piece to be rescued and restored. It’s more about documentation, so that the information isn’t lost.
That’s what I’m doing over on @tilehunters; I’m trying to keep the heritage alive, and it’s exciting to see so many people following along for the journey.
Original location: Carrer Roger de Flor 202 | Estimated production year: 1900-1910 | Designer: unknown | Manufacturer: Butsems & Fradera factory
Tile Hunters - @tilehunters
Text - Courteney Searle @courteneysearle
Pictures - Marc Ocaña