I’m not really in to art or architecture, but Casa Batlló was one of my favourite experiences on a visit to Barcelona. It was quirky and fun, and unlike anywhere I’ve ever visited before. I wasn’t sure if booking in to go inside was worth it, but I had the best time – so here’s what to expect!
Contents
- Contents
- What is Casa Batlló?
- How to get to Casa Batlló
- What to see at Casa Batlló
- Other important visitor information
What is Casa Batlló?
Casa Batlló is a house in the center of the city. It was designed by the world famous Antoni Gaudi, and is considered one of his masterpieces (along with La Sagrada Familia). It was effectively a remodel of a previously built house, completed in 1904.
The local name for the house is Casa dels ossos (House of Bones) due to its skeletal and visceral design, and it sits on Passeig de Gracia, part of a row of houses known as the ‘Block of Discord’.
Like everything Gaudí designed, Casa Batlló is only identifiable as Modernisme i its design style. It’s full of quirky designs, like odd shaped windows and wavy stonework. Inside the house, there are few straight lines, and much of the exterior is decorated with mosaics. The roof is also shaped, a bit like a dinosaur’s back! In 2005, the house became a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
How to get to Casa Batlló
Casa Batlló lies on Passeig de Gracia, which is on the metro line, making it the easiest way to reach the house.
- If you’re coming from across town West to East (e.g. from Montjuic or Barcelona Sants), or from the Gothic Quarter, then take the green line (L3) towards Trinitat Nova – get off at station Passeig de Gracia
- If you’re coming from the direction of La Sagrada Familia, then take the purple line (L2) towards Paral-lel – get off at station Passeig de Gracia
Arriving in at Passeig de Gracia, follow the exit signs to the Consell de Cent exit, and you’ll pop up right in front of Casa Batlló.
What to see at Casa Batlló
Exterior Façade
The façade has three distinct sections. The lowest is made of Montjuïc sandstone with undulating lines. The central part is a multicolored section with protruding balconies, and the top of the building is a crown, like a huge gable, which is at the same level as the roof. The top is adorned with ceramic pieces that looks like a stegosaurus’ back.
Noble Floor
The noble floor is the main floor of the building, and uses large sky lights resembling tortoise sells and huge vaulted walls and ceilings. The décor throughout is very animal like, with big wavy windows and doors that almost look like leopard print. On the noble floor there is a spacious landing with direct views of the blue tiling of the building well, as well as a dining room decorated with a mushroom-shaped fireplace.
The Atrium
The Atrium is the central part of the house, around which all the rooms are situated. It basically brings air and light in to the house – Gaudí had an obsession with light and how it reflected off certain surfaces. The wall of the atrium has different tones of blue as well as a diamond textile pattern all around the walls, giving it the feeling of almost a waterfall. The huge skylight allows light to come in and reflect off the ceramic tiles into the windows to naturally illuminate the house. The blue tiles are more intensely colored at the top and get opaquer towards the bottom, really making it feel like a water feature!
Loft
The loft is considered to be one of the most unusual spaces in the house. It was formerly a service area for the tenants of the different apartments in the building which contained laundry rooms. It is known for its simplicity and Mediterranean influence through the use of white on the walls. It contains a series of sixty arches that creates a space which represents the ribcage of an animal.
Rooftop
As I walked on to the rooftop, I couldn’t help but say ‘wow’ aloud. A beautiful little area, with tables and chairs laid out, complete with a bar, it’s the perfect place to sit and take it all in. From a design perspective, its famous due to its dragon back design. Gaudi represents an animal’s spine by using tiles of different colors on one side. The roof is decorated with four chimney stacks designed to prevent backdraughts, and they are no ordinary chimneys!
Gaudi Cube
After touring the house, a new interactive exhibit has been created – the Gaudi Cube. Effectively, it’s a cube that comes alive with modern Gaudi designs, and it’s a cool way to finish a visit.
I visited on a General Day Time Tour in the 6pm slot (see below) and found the house not to be too busy at all. While there were other guests, I still found I had some rooms to myself and the glass of cava was welcome after a long day at a conference!
Other important visitor information
- General Day Time Tour (From EUR29, entry slots from 9am – 7.15pm)
- Includes Audioguide available in 15 languages
- Includes rooftop and Gaudí Cube
- Welcome glass of cava is included for visits scheduled at 6pm onwards
- Nighttime tour with less visitors (From EUR25, entry slots from 8.30pm – 9.15pm)
- Includes Audioguide available in 15 languages
- Excludes Rooftop and Gaudí Cube
- Welcome glass of cava and less visitors
- ‘Be the First’ Moring Visit (From EUR45, entry slots 8.30am and 8.45am)
- Early morning tour and very few other visitors
- Audioguide available in 15 languages
- Includes rooftop and Gaudi Cube
- Children aged up to 12 visit free
- Casa Batlló also hosts concert nights, and offers experiences in the Gaudi Cube (e.g. a Chemical Brothers takeover was on when I visited) so you could also look for tickets there. Including a visit to the house, tickets seem to start from around EUR60.
- Casa Batlló also offers an outdoor escape room for EUR22, though this doesn’t include a visit to the house.
- You will need around 1 – 1.5 hours to complete a tour of the house, though with a drink on the rooftop, my colleague and I took 2 hours to see it.
- There is a lift in the house, making it accessible for those with mobility issues. The house also allows pets, with prior approvals.
So there we have it – the wonderful and unique Casa Batlló! What did you think? I absolutely loved my visit and it was one of the reasons Barcelona as a city grew on me as I had such a good time here, and certainly much better than I had anticipated.
Saasdia Travel Gid
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