The Captain's Widow's Brothel
Several "karass"—signs that once marked brothels—remain in the El Born neighborhood. One of them hangs on the corner of a building at the intersection of Carrer dels Vigatans and Carrer dels Mirallers.
THE MYSTERY LOCATION ON THE MAP
Barcelona was already a major port city in the Middle Ages, and sailors and foreigners arriving here sought out so-called "pleasure houses." "Karasses" were ideal landmarks for illiterate sailors or foreigners who didn't speak the local language. They were a kind of brothel sign.
It is known that brothels already existed in the city in 1400 and were protected by the state. In 1452, King Alfonso V personally signed a special permit allowing businessman Simón Sala to open a network of brothels in Barcelona.
Prostitutes worked every day of the year except Easter week and the Feast of the Blood and Corpus Christi. During these days, prostitutes remained at their workplaces and were not allowed to expose themselves to the public, so as not to lead believers into sin. They were also gathered in the Monastery, which was located behind the Hospital of the Holy Cross and served as a nursing home. Women must be at least 20 years old to work as prostitutes.
Initially, the numbers of the buildings housing the city's first brothels were painted red—the color of passion. Later, the lower parts of these buildings were decorated with flowers and plants, making the establishments more noticeable. After conquering Catalonia, Philip V ordered the removal of the overly garish decorations from the brothels. Only the faces of satyrs, depicting men in moments of intense passion, remained. There were no signs with the names of these buildings because most people remained illiterate and could not read.
Brothels typically had very narrow staircases to save space. Catalans called such houses "Casa de barrets," which literally translates as "House of Hats," because clients would cram into them like hats in a closet. It was a derisive, derogatory term for brothels.
The brothel on the corner of Carrer dels Vigatans and Carrer dels Mirallers was known as the "Captain's Widow's Brothel." It was founded by a single mother of many children, the widow of a sea captain who had once never returned from a voyage—his ship had been lost to the sea. To survive, the woman was forced to turn to prostitution, including her daughters.
