Casa Batllo, this magical building that was built by a famous architect in the 20th century, is now recognized as one of the most valuable architectures in the world. It is a skeletal house, a blend of architecture and sculpture, whose blue facade is inspired by the calmness of the sea.
If you have traveled to Barcelona, you must have heard about this legendary building. This dream house, which passers-by will be enchanted by its beauty and splendor, stands out on the main street of Barcelona with architecture that has never been seen anywhere. The designer of this beautiful building was a famous architect named Antoni Gaudí. This magical building was called Casa Batlló, which has an area of 5,000 square meters.
If you’re eager to learn more about this amazing house, stay with us until the end of this article.
Casa Batllo History
In the middle of the Industrial Revolution, Barcelona was completely transformed. The wealth of entrepreneurs and industry pioneers was growing rapidly. They progressed with the development of chemical, metal, electrical, and automobile industries. With these quick changes, they had become very bold, and the old houses were not enough for them anymore; they were looking for magnificent houses and stylish and modern streets to live in.
Josep Batllo i Casanovas made significant progress in the textile industry and contributed to its transformation. To distinguish himself from his family, who resided in remarkable yet slightly antiquated religious buildings, he sought out Antoni Gaudi, the architectural star of the time in Spain.
At that time, he was working on Sagrada Familia palaces from 1884 and Park Güell (1914-1900). He also completed the projects of Casa Calvet (1900), the Gilbert Pharmacy, and Torino Decor in 1902.
Joseph Batllo bought a building and then asked Gaudi to transform it completely and build a new building with his dreamy style and imagination that would become one of his masterpieces.
Today’s technical critics highly praise him for completely transforming the building and giving a new look to Casa Batlló without destroying the previous building.
Construction of Casa Batllo Barcelona
The construction of this building began in 1904 and was completed in 1906. The building is located on Passeig de Gracia, one of the noble streets of Barcelona. Gaudi was commissioned to build this building by Josep Batllo, a cloth merchant.
The facade of Casa Batllo is one of the most important parts of the building in terms of architecture, and due to the use of stone, tiles, and beautiful designs, it is considered one of the most original architectures in the world. Two other famous architects accompanied Gaudi in designing this building.
In 2002, Casa Batllo was opened to the public, and this house was recognized as one of the tourist attractions of Barcelona. Later, it was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2011.
Casa Batllo Architecture
Gaudi used his famous style and some of his previous designs in the construction of this building. He has put plaster as the main material in his design. The people of Barcelona know Casa Batllo as Casa dels Ossos, which means House of Bones. Of course, the main reason for this name among the residents is because of the special architecture used in this building. The balconies look like dragon skulls with mouths, eyes, and noses.
The columns on the first floor are made to resemble human bones. The facade of the building is a combination of mosaic, glass, and ceramic, with undulating waves.
When you look at it under the sunlight, it is as if the building is moving on the waves and is inspired by the blue of the sea surface, and when the sunlight hits the colors, a seven-color view is reflected on the glass, creating a unique sensation.
The columns at the bottom of the building are also reminiscent of tree trunks, which makes the appearance of the building more magical and legendary.
The roof and balcony are similar to the back fins of a dragon, which are covered with ceramic tiles. Inside the building, there is a wooden staircase with a strange shape, which is reminiscent of the legendary dragon.
Casa Batllo Roof
You have to use spiral stairs to access the roof. In the attic room, Gaudi placed a service room, including a laundry and a drying area for clothes. The roof itself is another work of art, especially due to the presence of 27 chimneys, each 10 meters high, shaped like mushrooms.
The chimney, which is decorated and protected by glass and ceramic, is painted with blue color to represent clouds and rain and makes us return to the blue background of the design. There are many architectural and artistic details in this house to discover, including its furniture. This building, which has now become a museum, has been welcoming visitors since 1993.
Why is Casa Batllo so famous?
Casa Batllo is famous for its extraordinary architectural design that embodies the creative genius of Antoni Gaudi. The facade of the building is a masterpiece of organic shapes, vivid colors, and imaginative details that capture the essence of Gaudi’s unique style.
Its striking resemblance to a dragon’s back, with skull-like balconies and bone-like columns, adds to its charm and mystery.
In addition, Casa Batllo’s innovative use of materials such as mosaics, glass, and ceramics, combined with the integration of form and function, has made it one of the most iconic places in Barcelona.
Does anyone live in Casa Batllo?
No one currently lives in Casa Batllo. If you have seen the Casa Batllo photos, you will know that it has become a museum and tourist attraction. However, when it was originally built by Antoni Gaudi in the early 20th century, it served as a residential building.
Over the years, it has undergone various renovations and restorations to preserve its architectural importance and historical value. Today, visitors can explore the interior of Casa Batllo and learn about its fascinating history, but it no longer serves as a living space for anyone.
What is Casa Batllo used for?
In the past, Casa Batllo was used as a residential building. This building was designed by the famous architect Antoni Gaudi and built in the early 20th century. Families lived in different apartments inside the building and made it their home.
However, over time, as its architectural significance became more recognized, Casa Batlló underwent transformations. Today, while no longer used as a residence, it functions as a museum and tourist attraction, allowing visitors to explore its unique architecture and learn about its history.
Casa Batllo Tickets
Casa Batllo was reopened to the public in 2011 and has since become one of the most important attractions in Barcelona and Spain. The resistance to visiting this building, with all its beauty and features, seems impossible.
Note that when buying a ticket, there are two different categories to buy. In one of them, you can visit the building any time you want, and in the other category, there is a specific time for visiting.
There is an audio guide in the mobile application of the collection and tourists in Catalan, English, Spanish, French, French, Italian, German, Chinese, Japanese, Russian and Portuguese. Also, visitors can buy souvenirs for their friends from the shop in Casa Batlló.
Casa Batllo Tickets Price:
- For adults over 18 years old: 24 euros
- Teenagers between 7 and 17 years: 21.5 euros
- Children under 7 years: free
- Students: 21.5 euros
- People over 65 years old: 21.5 euros
Casa Batllo Address
The Casa Batllo location is very convenient and easily accessible (Location on map). You can find the Casa Batllo building at 43 Passeig de Gracia, one of the most important streets in the center of Barcelona. There are 4 ways to reach this building:
1. Start your journey by bus from lines 10H, 15V, 7, 22, and 24 along with tourist buses or city buses, and stop at station 3A.
2. By subway at the Passeig de Gràcia station from lines 2L, 3L and 4L.
3. By train from Passeig de Gracia station.
4. On foot, heading to Passeig de Gracia, street number 43.
Casa Batllo Opening Hours
Casa Batllo is open every 365 days of the year. Casa Batlló is open every day from 9 AM to 9 PM. Ticket sales at the box office are available until 9:00 PM and online until 7:30 PM on the same day.
On the rare days of the year when there are special events, Casa Batllo is open from 9 AM to 2 PM. If you plan to visit the complex, we suggest that you choose around 11:00 AM so that it is a quiet time and avoid crowded times. Schedule at least two hours to visit it.
How Much Does it Cost to Go to Casa Batllo?
The entrance fee to Casa Batlló varies depending on the age and type of ticket. For adults over 18, the ticket price is 24 euros. Teenagers between 7 and 17 years old, students, and people over 65 years old can enter for 21.5 euros. Children under 7 can enter for free. It is possible to buy tickets online until 9:00 p.m. at the box office and until 7:30 p.m. on the same day of the visit.
Final Word
Among the most famous historical places in Barcelona, we should mention the works of the genius architect of the modern style, Antoni Gaudí, someone who has registered not only this city but also the country of Spain with his unique style. One of his most famous works is the Casa Batlló building, which has been registered among Gaudi’s works since 2005 by the UNESCO World Heritage Center.
Casa Batllo in Barcelona is one of the masterpieces of Gaudi, the great Spanish architect. If you are interested in modern architecture, the next destination of your trip should be a tour of Spain and the city of Barcelona.
If you want to experience a unique and exciting trip, make sure to visit Spain cities and towns.
