Casa Batlló

Casa Batlló, one of Antoni Gaudí’s most famous works, is a masterpiece of modernist architecture located in the heart of Barcelona, at number 43 Passeig de Gràcia. This extraordinary building was commissioned by textile industrialist Josep Batlló in 1904, who wanted to transform an existing house into a unique and spectacular residence. Gaudí, along with his collaborators Domènec Sugrañes i Gras, Josep Canaleta, and Joan Rubió, worked on the renovation which was completed in 1906, creating a work that would leave an indelible mark in the history of architecture. The exterior of Casa Batlló is immediately recognizable for its undulating and vibrant facade, decorated with a mosaic of colorful ceramics known as “trencadís”. The facade, with its organic shapes and bright colors, has often been compared to an enchanted sea or the skin of a dragon. This interpretation is reinforced by the roof, which resembles the scaly back of a dragon, a tribute to the legendary Saint George, patron saint of Catalonia, who according to legend defeated a dragon. One of the most fascinating elements of the facade is the main balcony, which almost resembles a mask, and the bone-like columns that give the house the nickname “Casa dels Ossos” (House of Bones). The upper balconies, with their sinuous shapes and wrought iron railings, resemble bones or seashells, reinforcing the naturalistic theme that pervades Gaudí’s entire work. Inside, Casa Batlló continues to amaze with its innovative design and artistic details. The noble floor, where the Batlló family lived, is a masterpiece of light and space. Gaudí expanded the central light well to ensure natural brightness in every corner of the house, using blue tiles that gradually fade from white to dark blue to create a fascinating chromatic effect. The internal doors, windows, and furniture were all designed by Gaudí, who paid obsessive attention to functionality and aesthetics in every detail. The main staircase, with its hand-carved wooden handrail resembling a spinal column, is another example of Gaudí’s craftsmanship and his ability to integrate natural elements into architecture. The ceiling of the main hall is decorated with a spiral reminiscent of a nautilus shell, further demonstrating the organic inspiration that permeates the entire building.