ReachExtra
La Línea holds a treasure at number 90 Avenida María Guerrero; a unique house decorated with pieces of ceramic tiles, which is definitely worth a visit.
At that address stands the most unusual of houses. It is now known as ‘La Casa de los Chinitos’, (“The House of Pebbles”) although it was originally named ‘Villa Mosaico’ (the ‘Villa of Mosaics’).
The true beauty of this house, built in the early years of the 20th century, becomes apparent as you approach it. One of its owners, Emilio Gallego, dedicated himself to collecting pieces of pottery to adorn the entire house Piece by piece he designed a stunning mosaic, first on the external façade and then he continued inside.
Thus, ‘Villa Mosaico’ is the product of unusual patience, creativity and ingenuity. Some of these pieces of pottery came from Gibraltar, where Gallego worked. And it is in the sheer detail which makes his old home is so amazing. It draws you in so that you can contemplate it at leisure.
The Councillor for Urban Generation & Development of La Línea, Juan Carlos Valenzuela, gave us some details of the original building,still unknown even to most of the people of the area: ‘Villa Mosaico’ is a typical construction of its period, with masonry walls, Arabic gabled tiles and something most peculiar and that makes it unique, pieces of pottery that adorn its façade and interior”, he says.
Although it is now a private residence, ‘Villa Mosaico’ once housed a restaurant called ‘La media luna’ (‘The Half Moon’), of which there are still traces on the façade.
Over the years, the house had deteriorated, but its current owners have worked on its preservation.
Enhancing use
The City Council wants to widen the use of the building and have designated it with Heritage protection status in the City Plan. “The objective is to preserve it so that both the façade and the structure of this building are retained but to make its uses more flexible. It would be a good idea to put it to other uses in addition to residential”, says Valenzuela.
Tourist office
When a community has something to proud of it will want to show it off.. The Municipal authorities, alive to the unique beauty of ‘Villa Mosaico’, considers that the property is perfect for a public use such as, for example, a tourist office. As the Councillor himself acknowledges, “it is a pity to have something so unique in La Línea that people do not know about”.
