The theme of the previous blog entry below was mostly based on Gaudi's last and greatest project,
The Basilica of the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona. There is so much more of Gaudi's architecture in Barcelona.
Casa Battló
Antoni Gaudi’s Casa Battló, also known as “the house of bones” was a major remodel of an existing building commissioned on the prestigious Passeig de Gràcia street by a wealthy industrialist who wanted to show up his neighbors. Gaudi was given free rein to design something unique and astonishing. Completed in 1906, Casa Battló may be the most eccentric and colorful house ever made. Its organic forms, fantastic chimneys and scaly roof tiles suggest a dragon, which Gaudi designed to symbolize the legend of St. George killing the dragon.
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| Main Drawing Room |
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| Main Drawing Room Chandelier |
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| Casa Battló rooftop |
Casa Milà
Often referred to as La Pedrera (“Stone Quarry”), Casa Milà is an 8 story apartment building Gaudi created for the Milà family between 1906-1910. This was his last work before he devoted himself full-time to the Sagrada Familia. The apartments are built around circular courtyards. We fell in love with the iron-work balconies by Josep Maria Jujol. There are no straight lines to be found anywhere in the building!
Views reflected from the windows outside mingle with the views seen through the windows within the courtyard. This photograph was taken from outside the building looking in. The columns, windows and people are inside the courtyard. I am outside, reflected by the window.
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Casa Milà courtyard
looking up |
Most astonishing for us was the roof with its tiled sculptural ducts and chimneys. They are called espanta-bruixes (witch-scarers) because of their threatening appearance. The view of the city from the roof is extraordinary.
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| They are chimneys! |
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| Sagrada Familia from the rooftop of Casa Milà |
