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

With a modernist façade that’s meant to reflect a calm sea, Antonio Gaudí created one of his greatest works here at Casa Batlló, a truly symbolic building of Barcelona’s and Catalonia’s modernism. Walking through the building is a journey within a magical world, full of surprises and architectural details that enchant visitors in each and every corner. Once again, Gaudí wanted to evoke feelings of nature in his architecture, on this occasion, focusing on the prominence of the sea.

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

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

Found on Paseo de Gracia, Casa Batlló’s façadeimmediately draws the attention of anyone who happens to be passing through the Ensanche neighbourhood of Barcelona, with its famous balconies, undulating shapes, as well as the small coloured crystals that decorate the frontage, plus the scaled shapes of the vaulted roof that look almost like a dragon. But a visit to the inside of the building is just as important, interesting and exciting.

The building’s interior courtyard impresses visitors with its blue ceramics and curved roof. The rest of the floors inside 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 seenin the staircase, representing the tail of the dragon, or on the roof, which can be accessed via a spiral staircase. For Gaudí, the roof represented the culmination of his years of work and he wanted to finish Casa Batlló by representing a dragon’s spine, using different coloured tiles on each side. The chimneys, crystal balls and playful ceramics complete this famous homage to the sea.

Casa Batlló was officially opened to the public in 2002 to coincide with the international commemorative celebrations for Gaudí that year. Ever since, it opens every day of the year from 9am to 9pm. Its international reputation has been endorsed by several 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 reputation as a must-see destination for all the tourists exploring Barcelona year after year.

Categories: barcelona