Casa Batlló in Barcelona, splendid architecture by Gaudi

In 1995, almost 90 years after it was built, the basement, ground floor and first floor of the house, covering almost 1,840m², were restored. It wasn't until 2002 that part of the building was opened to the public. Since then, as repairs have been carried out, new rooms such as the attic and the roof have been made accessible. In 2013, almost the entire site was open to the public. Details of the construction process are revealed to the most curious.

Several interpretations have been developed as to the meaning of the colours and shapes of the façades. The most pertinent is that Gaudí was inspired by the sea bed, hence the predominance of navy blue. He is said to have designed Casa Batllò as a living organism in which each element has its place and function. For some, the house is a kind of marine refuge that protects its inhabitants from the outside world. Unfortunately, Gaudí never really said much about the meaning of his work.

Although Casa Batllò was built at the very beginning of the 20th century, Gaudí opted for an ecological approach when it came to electricity and ventilation. The rooms were lit by patios that acted as sk ylights, and air-conditioning was provided by a clever system of chimneys and vents inspired by Catalan techniques that are still used today.

The first recognition of the building came in 1962, when it was included in the heritage list of Barcelona City Council. Seven years later, in 1969, it was listed as an artistic historic monument in Spain. In 2005, Casa Batllò and seven other works by Gaudí were included in UNESCO's World Heritage List.

Casa Batlló, Antoni Gaudí's modernist museum, is one of the city's main attractions. Gaudí renovated this 1875 house in 1904 for Josep Batlló i Casanovas, with eight houses spread over four floors. The building is currently valued at over 70 million euros. The house is a piece of modern Catalan architecture. The central theme of the building is Sant Jordi, who played a very important role in the city of Barcelona. The tour is fun, even for children, thanks to an augmented reality tablet that lets you view the different rooms in 360°.

📍 Location: Pg. de Gràcia, 43, 08007 Barcelona, Spain

🚌 Getting there: accessible by metro, with lines 2, 3 and 4, arriving at Passeig de Gracia station. It can also be reached by RENFE train, arriving at Estación Passeig de Gracia station. You can also get there by bus, on several routes.

⏰ Opening times: Monday to Sunday, 9am to 10pm

👛 Prices: from 23 euros

🕑 Duration on site: 1 hour

🎟️ You can book your ticket in advance and find out more about tickets and the various packages on offer here