The Casa Milà, one of Barcelona's most well-known monuments, is situated on the elegant Passeig de Gràcia, a short distance from the Plaça Catalunya. This is the pinnacle of Antoni Gaud's career; it was created as a modernist structure that satisfies contemporary societal demands without sacrificing his primary sources of inspiration, nature and organic shapes. This must-see tourist attraction combines imagination with practicality.
Don't be shocked if the majority of locals call the structure La Pedrera, which is Spanish for 'the quarry.' The moniker for the Casa Milà, appears to have been given to it because of its jagged stone façade, which is suggestive of rough pieces of rock. It is made up of limestone, which is found in the Garraf Natural Park, close to the beach town of Sitges and south of Barcelona.
Antoni Gaud, a devoted Catholic, was prone to using religious allegory in his creations.Along with images of the Virgin Mary and passages from the Rosary, the Casa Milà also has sculptures of the archangels St. Michael and St. Gabriel.
A stunning modernist structure designed by the architect features two inside courtyards that provide the apartments ventilation and light. The primary components both within and outside La Pedrera are sinuous, curved shapes. The wrought-iron balcony railings of the Casa Milà's façade include seaweed designs that combine with the waves to create the impression of a moving sea. The massive stone blocks serve as a kind of skin for a structure without load-bearing walls. The longest façade on Passeig de Gràcia resembles an undulating stone sculpture that plays with light and shadow to create a sensation of movement. The sea was converted into a façade.
One of the first of Gaud's structures to host nighttime events on the rooftop was Casa Mila. Don't miss the Jazz Evenings on the La Pedrera Roof Terrace this summer, where you can hear the best jazz musicians perform live on a breathtaking rooftop.
Casa Mila is the only structure in Barcelona's Eixample neighbourhood with two enormous courtyards in addition to its little ventilation courtyards, which Gaudi put into his design to enhance lighting and ventilation throughout the building's 16 apartments.
The Espai Gaud, the sole interpretation centre in Barcelona specialising on Gaud's whole body of work, is located in the attic of La Pedrera. You may discover more about his architecture and his sources of inspiration right here.
Take in the scintillating views of Barcelona from Casa Mila's rooftop. Gaudi created sculptures out of the chimneys and staircase exits in this unusual location.
It is noteworthy for its present uses as well: it serves as the headquarters of the Catalunya La Pedrera Foundation, hosts cultural events, and has a ground-floor café and stores. The main floor flat is now used as exhibition space.
Pg. de Gràcia, 92, 08008 Barcelona, Spain