In what year did El Capricho become a museum?

El Capricho became a museum in 2009, after a long transformation from private summer residence to commercial venue and cultural attraction.

Antoni Gaudí designed the villa in Comillas, Cantabria, for Máximo Díaz de Quijano. Built between 1883 and 1885, it is known for its colourful ceramic decoration, sunflower motifs, wrought iron and an orientalising tower. The building’s name, El Capricho, means “The Whim” or “The Caprice,” fitting its playful combination of music, nature and architectural ornament.

The property changed hands and uses during the twentieth century. In 1977, the last descendant of the López-Díaz de Quijano family sold it. It was restored and converted into a restaurant in 1988 before eventually opening as a museum in 2009.

The dates in the wrong options describe other milestones, not the museum opening: 1977 marks the sale, while 1988 marks the restaurant conversion. El Capricho is also commonly called El Capricho de Gaudí or Villa Quijano, names that refer to the same building.