Casa Batlló

Gaudí’s “House of Bones” on Passeig de Gràcia, with a dragon-back roof and a facade of coloured ceramic tiles. It offers the richest immersive experience of any Gaudí building.

Casa Batlló is an apartment building that Gaudí remodelled between 1904 and 1906 for the textile merchant Josep Batlló. It sits on Passeig de Gràcia, the most luxurious avenue in the Eixample district, next to Casa Amatller and Casa Lleó Morera, which together form the stylistically varied “Block of Discord” (Illa de la Discòrdia). The bone-like stone columns and mask-like balconies on the facade have earned it the local nickname “House of Bones.” The scale-covered ceramic roof is said to represent the back of the dragon from the legend of Saint George slaying the dragon, and the cross-topped tower symbolises Saint George’s lance. Inside, curves are everywhere. There are mushroom-shaped fireplaces, a blue-tiled light well that resembles the sea (its colour lightens from top to bottom to balance the daylight), swirling ceilings and an attic whose arches resemble ribs. In recent years the operators have invested heavily in multimedia. The entrance features the “Gaudí Cube,” an immersive space, and there are AR tablet guides. The guided experience is the most complete of any Gaudí building, but tickets are also the most expensive, around €29–39. Buy in advance on the official site, casabatllo.es. Tickets are cheaper for early and late time slots. In the evenings there are “Magic Night” rooftop concerts. Casa Batlló is just a five-minute walk from Casa Milà. If you can only visit one, Casa Batlló excels in colour and interiors, while Casa Milà excels in its rooftop chimneys and its architectural history exhibition. Exit Passeig de Gràcia station on metro lines L2, L3 or L4 and you are there. The facade is beautifully lit at night and can be admired for free.

Casa Batlló

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