Casa de les Petxines (Casa de las Conchas)
One of the most curious facades in the old town, entirely clad in seashells. A local family built it around 1961 and, instead of whitewashing, decorated it with shells fishermen gave them in exchange for tobacco. It can be admired for free from the steep street climbing toward the castle; today it houses a souvenir shop.
On the steep hill climbing toward the castle, one facade breaks the white line of the old town: the Casa de les Petxines, in Peníscola, is covered from top to bottom in seashells.
A bit of history
A local family built it around 1961 and, instead of whitewashing the house like everyone else, decided to decorate it with the shells fishermen kept giving them in exchange for tobacco. Shell by shell, year after year, they built up the covering that is now one of the most photographed details in the old town.
Planning the visit
You can see it for free from the street, without going in: just look up as you climb toward the Papa Luna castle. It currently houses a souvenir shop, so you can also step inside for a quick browse on your way past. It is a one-minute stop, but the kind that tells a very local story.
Frequently asked questions
Does it cost money to see the Casa de les Petxines?
No, you can see it for free from the steep street climbing up to the castle; just look up. Today it houses a souvenir shop you can step into to browse.
Why is it covered in shells?
It was built around 1961 by a local family who, instead of whitewashing the house, decorated it with the shells fishermen gave them in exchange for tobacco.
Where is the Casa de les Petxines?
It is on the steep old-town slope rising towards the Papa Luna castle, and its façade breaks the white line of the old village.
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