When I think of Barcelona, Antoni Gaudi will always come to mind. More popularly known as Gaudí, he’s the key architect behind the iconic, forever-being-worked-on Sagrada Familia (it’ll be completed in 2026 but meanwhile, you can visit my article featuring it).
Gaudí is also the designer of the most famous works in Barcelona, including Park Güell and Casa Milà.
When my friend and I were in Barcelona for 3 days (too short!), due to limited time, we had to choose between Casa Mila or Casa Batllo. In the end, we decided upon Casa Batllo and I was so glad to choose it. On the first two days that we tried to visit, Casa Batlló was unexpectedly closed from 2pm onwards. Finally, we got in on the 3rd morning, our 3rd attempt.
Gaudi’s Casa Batllo – A fascinating house of curves & waves
The story behind Casa Batlló
The building was originally constructed in 1877, when there were still no electric lights in Barcelona. In 1903, a wealthy aristocrat, Josep Batlló, bought it over. He then commissioned Gaudi between 1904-1906 and gave him full creative freedom to redesign Casa Batlló.
Gaudi changed away the facade completely and also transformed the interior of Casa Batlló into something even more amazing. This work of art brings together design, space, color, shape, and light into one beautiful building.
The local name of Casa Batlló is Casa dels ossos (House of Bones), aptly named because the front of the building is a strange facade, with protruding balconies in the shape of skulls. A mosaic of colored glass fragments and ceramic discs are plastered on the wall. Colors used on this facade were inspired by colors found in coral.
Stepping inside Casa Batllo is like discovering the magic of the sea.
The Noble Floor – designed to see and be seen
Ergonomics was embraced by Gaudi, as seen from these window and door handles.
window handle 
door handle 
door handle
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Casa Batllo’s Visitors Get A Smart Guide to See Its Previous Looks via Augmented Reality
Entrance tickets include an audio guide that comes in the form of a nifty gadget (smartphone?) and headphones. Highly interactive, you can hold the gadget up against certain areas and it animates on the screen or shows how the house was like in the past, complete with furniture and fixtures. It was so cool!
If you haven’t managed to get there yet, enjoy this different, interactive video of Casa Batllo! (Best experienced using a mobile phone or tablet.)
I really like these quirky window panes and doors.
To control the temperature indoors especially during winter, these panels can be adjusted accordingly. Ingenious!
Get your tickets to Casa Batllo or Barcelona attractions via GetYourGuide!
Casa Batllo & its Blue Tiles
The tiles have been arranged in a gradual blue from the lightest at the bottom to the darkest at the top, so that the tone will be evened out when natural light shines in from the top. Also, the windows become smaller in sizes to add on to the optical illusion. This attention to detail represents Gaudi’s dedication to his art.
walls along staircase 
imagine staying in one of these rooms 
This might be my favorite part of the house.
I love all these glass panels that provide a different perspective.
Casa Batlló is a bright and cheerful project, representing the artistic expression of an elated architect, working without any of the symbolic and moralistic complications of other religious projects, and removed from the prevailing academicism of the schools of architecture of the period. “This is an architectural smile, an outpouring of the composite pleasure of a man who was in full command of his own very personal style. According to Leonardo da Vinci, Nature is full of latent causes which have never been liberated. The enchanting architecture of Casa Batlló is the liberation of one of those natural mysteries through the endeavour and grace of Gaudí’s imagination and creative power.”
Professor Bassegoda, Curator of the Cátedra de Gaudí (source)
The Loft
Over here, more surprises await us at the simple elegance of this laundry-themed loft.
Roof terrace – the Dragon’s Back
Visiting Barcelona? Check rates for the best accommodation options on Booking.com!
Casa Batllo Opening Hours: 9am t0 9pm, daily (last entrance: 8pm). Double-check the opening hours before you visit. There are some days that the building is closed from 2pm onwards.
Ticket Entrance Fee: €25 (Buy online and show the ticket on your mobile phone, as there’s an additional €4 if you buy at the box office.)
Visited: Dec 2013
More Barcelona posts!
- Photos From the Inside of Sagrada Familia to Prove You Need to Visit It
- Park Guell – Another Masterpiece by Gaudi
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Credits: Additional information sources: Casa Batlló< | Barcelona.com | Tourist Guide Barcelona
Gaudi’s famous designs also include Sagrada Familia, Park Guell, La Pedrera (Casa Mila)
