(English) Casa Batlló, the ultimate expression of Catalan modernism

With a modernist façade to symbolise a calm sea, Antonio Gaudí created one of his greatest works in Casa Batlló, symbolic of Barcelona and Catalan modernism as a whole. Walking into the building is a journey through a magical world, full of surprises and architectural details that surprise visitors in each and every corner. Once again, Gaudí wanted to evoke feelings of nature in architecture, on this occasion, focusing on the prominence of the sea.

The remodelling of Casa Batlló was commissioned to Gaudí by businessman Josep Batlló in 1903. The famed architect completely converted the building, creating this ultimate expression of Catalan modernism.

Casa Batlló represents Gaudí at his most free. Catalonia’s maestro had used nature as his source of inspiration before, but with Casa Batlló, the architect worked completely freely, without restrictions, creating truly unique spaces that dazzle with their colours, light, impossible shapes and signature Gaudí spaces.

Located on Paseo de Gracia, Casa Batlló’s façade draws everyone’s attention who might happen to be passing through the Ensanche neighbourhood of Barcelona with its balconies, undulating shapes, as well as the small coloured crystals that decorate the frontage, as well as the scaled shapes of the vault that almost look dragon‑esque. But a visit to the inside of the building is just as interesting and exciting.

The building’s interior courtyard impresses with its blue ceramics and curved roof. The remaining floors are also dominated by the curved lines of the sea and industrial décor. Gaudí focussed even on the smallest of design and functional details, without neglecting the beauty reflected similarly on the staircase, representing the tail of a dragon, or on the roof, which can be accessed via a spiral staircase. For Gaudí, roofs represented the culmination of his work and he wanted to finish Casa Batlló by symbolising a dragon’s spine, using different coloured tiles on each side. The chimneys, crystal balls and playful ceramics complete his homage to the sea.

Casa Batlló was opened to the public in 2002, to coincide with an international commemoration for Gaudí. Ever since, it has opened every day of the year from 9am to 9pm. Its international reputation has been endorsed by a number of major awards, including the Europa Nostra Prize in 2004 and recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005. But, without doubt, the greatest recognition has to be its vast reputation as a must-see destination for all the tourists exploring Barcelona.

Categories: barcelona