Casa Batllo

Casa Batllo is one of the most popular places to visit in Barcelona and the graceful curves and decorative wrought iron balconies of its facade have become something of an icon for the city of Barcelona. The palatial home was built by modernist and Catalan native son Antoni Gaudi whose able hands led to the creation of many of the city's other iconic landmarks like the Park Guell or the Sagrada Familia.

Casa Batllo was built to echo the forms and colors of the Catalan seashore, a motif easily seen in the spirals of the seashell-esque chandelier in the main salon and the turquoise tiles in the interior patio. Across its four floors and rooftop terrace, visitors are taken through wave-like curved staircases, elegant sitting rooms, and whitewashed arched galleries that recall the Mediterranean fishing villages which dot the coast of Catalonia.

Building located on Paseo de Gracia in Barcelona, in the "manzana de la discordia", popularly called this way because of the disparity of styles in the different buildings. What in the beginning was a mere alteration of a building became an opportunity for Gaudí to create one of his most poetical and decorative works.

The current Casa Batlló is the result of the total alteration of a conventional house. Gaudí was given the job of renovating Josep Batlló i Casanovas' (textile industrial) building. On this basis, Gaudí built this surprising house, one of the most special and with most fantasy in Barcelona.

Since we only had one afternoon to visit Barcelona, we decided to get to know the most representative place of the city. So if we're talking about what best represents Barcelona, one of the first things that comes into mind is Modernism. And you can't mention Modernism without mentioning one of the greatest exponents of modernist architecture, Antoni Gaudí.

One of the most representative buildings and one of his masterworks is without a doubt the Casa Batlló. Located right in the business center, in Paseo de Gracia, the modernist facade matches perfectly with the more contemporary Catalan architecture. None of us had seen something of the like before, so when we arrived at the facade it looked impressive.

Another brilliant idea of the master Gaudí is the Casa Batlló, arranged by the Catalan in the form of the alteration of a building of 1875. Considered real architectural poetry, this building shows singular shapes that could only be designed thanks to the Catalan architect's genius.

The glazed facade, of organic and almost animal shapes make thousands of visitors every day. It also has an exhibition room and cultural visits in various languages. As an emblem of universal Modernism, this building has various spaces for different activities, for example the Jujol and Punta Noble halls, the attic, the terrace, and the curious chimneys.