Located in Villa de Leyva, one of Colombia’s most beautiful villages, Casa Terracota stands majestically, captivating the eye with its imposing terracotta structure. Designed by visionary architect Octavio Mendoza Morales, this house is much more than a simple dwelling; it’s an architectural masterpiece built from natural local materials.
Exploring its corridors and spaces, one is transported into a world where art and nature meet, offering an immersive and inspiring experience to visitors from all over the world. Casa Terracota embodies the very essence of human creativity and invites everyone to discover its magic in person.
History and origins
Its history dates back to the 1990s, when Colombian architect Octavio Mendoza Morales undertook the ambitious project of building a house entirely in terracotta. However, Casa Terracota is a never-ending project, as the possibilities offered by the creative processes involved are infinite and there will always be something new to offer. Morales, who is passionate about ecology and sustainable architecture, wanted to demonstrate the possibilities offered by local materials and traditional building techniques.
Construction began in 1999 and lasted over 17 years, until 2016, with Morales and his team working by hand to shape every detail of this extraordinary home. Inspired by nature’s organic forms, Morales conceived Casa Terracota as a living sculpture, where the lines of the earth blend with the natural contours of the surrounding landscape.
Octavio Mendoza Morales, born in 1949 in the department of Boyacá, is a Colombian architect renowned for his commitment to sustainable and ecological architecture. By promoting the use of traditional craft techniques and environmentally-friendly materials, Mendoza is inspiring a new generation of architects to rethink the relationship between man and his built environment, leaving behind a lasting and influential legacy in contemporary architecture.
Over the years, Casa Terracota has become much more than just a house; it has become a symbol of human ingenuity, sustainability and harmony with nature. Its fascinating history and impressive allure make it a must-see destination for travelers from all over the world, eager to discover this unique architectural marvel.
The fully functional house was originally designed as a home where Octavio could live, but with thegrowing attention it attracted and the increasing tourist popularity of Villa de Leyva, its occupation became difficult. Visitors arrived without permission, interrupting even the quietest moments, to such an extent that it was no longer possible to live peacefully. So, gradually, the house went from being a home to a tourist attraction.
The motivations of its creator, Octavio Mendoza Morales
During an informal conversation with one of his nieces, Octavio was led to reflect on the possibility of creating an unconventional home, where his multiple talents could merge. The simple question she put to him challenged him deeply: would he be able touse the same material to make pottery pieces and build a house?
This stimulating challenge immediately captivated his creative mind. Thus was born the idea that today, after almost 20 years of hard work, has materialized in Casa Terracota.
Although Octavio Mendoza Morales is not originally from Villa de Leyva, the town has always held a special place in his life. Over the years, he has observed with deep nostalgia the transformation of this city, once imbued with the imprint of the Europeans who colonized these lands.
These ruins, remnants of the buildings erected by the first European settlers, bear witness to a bygone era when thearchitectural techniques of the Muslim states, inherited during the Spanish occupation, gave rise to remarkable edifices. Unfortunately, despite decrees aimed at protecting the national heritage, the wave of tourism development has led to the gradual destruction of these precious witnesses to the past. New generations of owners, motivated by economic interests, have abandoned traditional buildings in favor of modernization, gradually erasing Villa de Leyva’s authentic identity.
This development deeply saddened the architect, as these rustic houses, fashioned by the hands of peasants with the materials of their native land, embody the very essence of their identity. The proximity of Villa de Leyva to the potters’ village of Ráquira underscores this ancestral relationship with clay, the humble yet resilient material that enabled their ancestors to shape their daily lives.
These remains are much more than scattered stones; they are silent witnesses to our past, guardians of our collective memory, and deserve to be preserved for future generations.
The construction of this masterpiece
The 500m2 Casa Terracota was built entirely fromclay, without the use of rebar, concrete or other reinforcing materials. Every element, from kitchen counters to seating, beds and bathrooms, is fashioned from this natural resource.
Running onsolar energy, the house embodies a model of sustainable living. Contrary to popular belief, Octavio Morales explains that the sun and air simply dried out the layers of clay during construction. To “cook” the house, room by room, he used coke, considered more environmentally friendly than charcoal.
Each room underwent a 30-day combustion process, followed by 30 days of cooling, strengthening the structure’s thick walls. Morales even goes so far as to claim that the fire would be beneficial, further strengthening the house.
Casa Terracota presents itself as a laboratory for architectural and artistic exploration, offering a fertile ground for the emergence of alternative proposals in both the use and decoration of spaces. And it’s true that the interior decoration is totally incredible, seeming to come out of a fantasy novel.
Practical information: visit Casa Terracota
Where is Casa Terracota located?
Casa Terracota is located just outside Villa de Leyva, a picturesque town nestled in Colombia’s spectacular countryside, and directly accessible by bus from Bogotá.
From Villa de Leyva’s Plaza Mayor (village center), it’s a 25-30 minute walk. Use Google Maps or Maps.me, it’s very easy to get there by yourself. Alternatively, you can take a cab.
Casa Terracota opening hours and prices
Rates
Tickets can be purchased online or directly from the Casa Terracotta box office on the day.
Buy tickets online on the official website
| Week High season | Weekends and public holidays High season | Week Low season | Weekends and public holidays Low season | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adult | 46,000 COP | 50,000 COP | 38,000 COP | 43,000 COP |
| 8-17 years | 28,000 COP | 30,000 COP | 23,000 COP | 27,000 COP |
| 60+ years | 37,000 COP | 42,000 COP | 32,000 COP | 37,000 COP |
| Student / Teacher | 25,000 COP | 27,000 COP | 28,000 COP | 31,000 COP |
| Disabled person | 25,000 COP | 27,000 COP | 21,000 COP | 23,000 COP |
| -7 years | Free | Free | Free | Free |
Opening hours
Opening days: Thursday to Monday
Opening hours: 10:00 am to 4:50 pm
High season: end-of-year vacations I Easter vacations I mid-year vacations I October vacation week.
Casa Terracotta will be closed on March 21 and April 4, 2024.
Access to Casa Terracota is not suitable for people with reduced mobility.
Our verdict: a place not to be missed!
Casa Terracota is definitely an amazing place. Although we’re not particularly sensitive to architecture, this place really surprised and intrigued us. The details of the decoration, drawing on a rather crazy imagination, give you the opportunity to lose yourself for a moment in your subconscious. And to think that the house is also functional, so that you can live in it for a long time, is impressive. The balconies and terraces offer superb views of the Andes.
However, when we visited in 2019, visits could be made without a guide. Today, the tour of Casa Terracotta’s interior, exterior and gardens is done with an audio guide, during which Octavio Mendoza Morales recounts the secrets and curiosities of his work. The tour lasts a maximum of 1h15.
