During his life, the famous Catalan architect Antoni Gaudi was able to transform Barcelona beyond recognition. The results of his work were not only temples and parks, but also ordinary residential buildings such as Casa Batlló.
CONSTRUCTION HISTORY
At the end of the 19th century, Passeig de Gràcia became the main avenue of Barcelona, and the most eminent families in Spain ordered houses on this territory. In 1887, Emilio Sala Cortes built house No. 43 on it, which became the basis for Gaudí's work. In 1903, the building was bought by Josep Batlló y Casanovas, a textile magnate. He entrusted Antoni Gaudí with the project and the freedom to express his architectural talent. The house bears the name of the customer - Batlló (from the Spanish Casa Batlló).
Gaudí decided not to demolish the building, but to carry out its reconstruction. Only the side walls remained from the original building, and the facades and internal layout were radically redesigned.
In the 1990s. the building becomes the property of the Bernat family, who opens the house for various events. Since 2002, excursions have begun there, and in 2005 Casa Batlló was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. This list contains an entire section dedicated to the Catalan architect: "The Creations of Antoni Gaudí".
DESCRIPTION
Casa Batlló is located near Casa Mila on one of the main streets of Barcelona. Next to it, you can see 4 houses: Amalje, Lleo y Morera, Mulieras and Josephine Bonet. The architects who built them were trying to win the Barcelona Mayor's Prize. This section of the street became known as the "Quarter of Discord" due to the completely different architectural styles of the houses.
The roof contours resemble the curved back of a dragon, the tiles resemble multi-colored scales, and the balconies and pillars resemble the bones of fallen dragon victims. In addition, on the roof you can see a tower in the form of a cross of St. George, symbolizing St. George, the patron saint of Catalonia, who slain the dragon with a spear. Thanks to this plot, Casa Batlló is popularly called the "House of Bones".
TOURS
Casa Batlló offers both individual and group tickets. Some rates include an audio guide, a guided tour, or even a theatrical accompaniment, during which Gaudi himself will lead you around the house. Actual prices and museum work schedule are always updated on the official website of the house.
Tours are adapted for people with disabilities. For people with visual impairments, Braille texts are provided in Spanish, Catalan and English, in addition, an accompanying person is admitted to the museum free of charge. For the hearing impaired, the audio guide has been translated into printed tests in the three languages listed above. Visitors in a wheelchair are given the opportunity to use a special lift; they can access almost the entire route of the excursion.
How to get there
Casa Batlló is located at Passeig de Gràcia 43, Barcelona, España. You can get there by metro along the purple line (L2), green line (L3) and yellow line (L4). The stop is called the street - Passeig de Gràcia. There are many buses running along it from different parts of the city: numbers H10, V15, 7, 22, 24, as well as the blue and red lines of the Barcelona Tourist Bus. You can also take the RENFE train to Passeig de Gràcia station.
