La Casa dels Gats

If you like street art or quirky history, this is for you! If you are a curious person who just enjoys walking around random streets to discover things off the beaten path, this is for you! Or if you just love cat history without the promise of actually seeing a cat, this is for you!
There is a bit of legend surrounding this place - did an elderly woman leave the lot to Valencia’s stray cats? Did a medieval warlord believe cats were bad luck?
In 1094 Valencia was ruled by Cid Campeador (Castilian knight & ruler El Cid?)who believed cats were bad luck so he ordered a mass slaughter of cats. Apparently during his reign the Catholic Church said cats were diabolical creatures. Legend says only four cats survived.
This Casa dels Gats house mural was created in 2003 by artist Alfonso Yuste Avarro as an homage to these four cats who survived. There is an inscription written on tiles next to the tiny cat house that translates, “In memory of the four cats that lived in the neighborhood El Carmen in the year 1094. There has never been a louder meow.”

Cute little graffiti on a wall, representing a house for cats. It's not something that can be visited per se. It can be seen from the outside and some cats are in the vicinity.

Three days ago I saw it, it was very beautiful but yesterday when I was passing that street I saw it vandalised… Im so sorry for it… I hope that it will be repaired soon…

Very cute little mural/homage. Learn the back story. Heard it was graffiti'd over but when i went it was restored. Very nice little piece of artwork

For cats lovers :)) nice to visit but don’t expect to see a cat ;))

My wife loved it but wishes she saw a cat.

So cute! I hope some cats are still using that place 🥹

This tiny mural house was built by artist Alfonso Yuste Navarro in 2003 with a Spanish inscription that says, “In memory of the four cats that were left in Barrio del Carmen in 1094.

For those unaware, Barrio del Carmen is a neighbourhood in Valencia. In the year 1094, Valencia was ruled by Cid Campeador, a warlord in mediaeval Spain who believed that cats brought bad luck. As a result, he directed the mass slaughter of cats in Valencia. However, luckily, four cats escaped the wrath of his rule and survived. The inscription refers to the legend of the ‘four cats.’

We went by for a laugh. It’s cute

Cute and unusual place.

Fun little house without live cats, unfortunately

Easy to find, though there were no “gatos” at all

Look up the legend online. We actually saw a black cat strut up the lane and run into the house! If you know any locals, try and get them to reduce the grafiti.

So cute. Almost missed it!

Must see. A unique and unexpected site.

Cats are the best, it was very cute. We even saw two cats. Really recommend. Meow.

Adorably cute place for cat lovers

Great cat house.

Cute little art piece

Cute