La Pedrera - Casa Mila Barcelona
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Casa Mila is a modernist-style apartment building designed by the famed Catalan architect, Antoni Gaudi. Built between 1906 and 1912, the rough-hewn façade of the building earned it the nickname, La Pedrera (the stone quarry). Our La Pedrera – Casa Mila Barcelona article includes information on what to see at this iconic address.
Casa Mila – La Pedrera was the last residential dwelling Antoni Gaudi constructed. The nature inspired masterpiece utilized innovative design elements to turn functional elements of the building into whimsical works of art. In 1984, UNESCO recognized Casa Mila as a world heritage site.
Spread over five floors, at Casa Mila visitors will discover the Warrior Rooftop, Whale Attic, Tenant’s Apartment, Flower Courtyard, and Butterfly Courtyard. There is no other building in the world quite like La Pedrera – Casa Mila. Visiting this world heritage site is one of the best things to do in Barcelona.
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Where is La Pedrera – Casa Mila Barcelona
Address: Passeig de Gracia, 92, 08008 Barcelona. Casa Mila is one metro stop from Placa Catalunya (or a 15 minute walk). Click here to look for hotels near Passeig de Gracia.
Passeig de Gracia
Casa Mila is located on Passeig de Gracia. In the early 20th century, the avenue was made fashionable by up-and-coming Barcelona industrialists. These newly rich businessmen competed to build the most noteworthy homes.
Today, the gorgeous tree-lined avenue is celebrated for its chic eateries, high-end shopping, and renowned modernistic homes including La Perera – Casa Mila, Casa Battlo, Casa Amatlier, and Casa Leo i Morera. A hop on hop off bus tour is a great way to see Passeig de Gracia.
Gaudi Architecture
Antoni Gaudi is internationally recognized as a genius architect and champion of the modernistic building style. Antoni Gaudi architecture imaginatively incorporates the patterns and materials found in nature into fantastic designs. In addition to the element of art found in each of the works of Antoni Gaudi, he also pushed forwarded advances in building technology and sustainability.
Gaudi architecture can be found throughout Barcelona in the city’s streetlights, gardens, and placas (public squares). Seven works of Antoni Gaudi in Barcelona are recognized as world heritage sites by UNESCO including Park Guell, Guell Palace, Casa Mila, Casa Vicens. La Sagrada Familia, Casa Battlo, and Crypt in Colonia Guell.
Casa Mila History
In 1905, Pere and Roser Mila commissioned Antoni Gaudi to construct their new home. The Mila’s planned to live on the main floor of the building, and rent out apartments on the four upper floors. The design Gaudi came up with was filled with light and the irregular, repeating patterns inspired by nature.
Over a six year period, construction of Casa Mila was fraught with problems. The project went overbudget, it did not comply with city regulations, and Gaudi argued with the Mila’s. In addition, the façade of the building was ridiculed in the local press as being out of place on the fashionable Passeig de Gracia (where a ‘quarry’ did not belong).
In time, the building once mocked would become a beloved Barcelona landmark.
Casa Mila Tours
La Pedrera – Casa Mila offers a variety of ways to view the historic property. An essential tour offers a free audio guide. The premium tour has limited group size and a guide. Sunrise tours and night tours offer access at off hours. Whatever tour you choose, book online ahead and secure a timed entry at an hour that is good for you.
Plan for around 90 minutes to tour La Pedrera – Casa Mila. Many visitors will bundle a tour here with other Antoni Gaudi buildings and/or Barcelona heritage sites. Here is a sampling of tours:
Things to See at La Pedrera – Casa Mila
The Façade
The nickname La Pedrera (the Quarry) comes from Casa Mila’s great rock façade. On the sidewalk of Passeig de Gracia, undulating stone rises up like a five-story wave. The intricate iron balcony lattice-work is thought to be kelp (seaweed) rippling in the ocean.
Warrior Rooftop
The most unexpected aspect of the house is the other-worldly Warrior Rooftop. To conceal vents, chimneys, and other functional building essentials, Gaudi created a series of warrior guardians representing the elements of nature: earth, air, fire, and water to decorate the rooftop. From this terrace there are incredible city views.
The Whale Attic
The finely crafted and unusual whale attic has 270 wooden arches reminiscent of a whale’s skeleton. The exhibit inside the attic space is devoted to works of Antoni Gaudi. The display features models, drawings, furniture, audiovisual shows.
The Tenants’ Apartment
The tenants’ apartment educates visitors about the way a typical middle-class family living in Barcelona in the early 1900s might have lived. The apartment includes several rooms filled with period furnishings and possessions. Also, notice the Gaudi style reflected in the flat’s door knobs, moldings, floors, and balcony.
The Flower Courtyard
Standing at the center of the Flower Courtyard, one is surrounded by a summer garden. The light filled space is decorated with colorful wall paintings and floral patterns. The gorgeous winding staircase seems to climb to a ceiling full of wildflowers.
The Butterfly Courtyard
The Butterfly Courtyard get its name from the iron latticework at the entrance to the courtyard which looks like the wings of a butterfly. The large open-air courtyard is also home to a second fanciful flying insect which rests on the staircase.
Mila Family Apartment
The Mila family apartment serves as an art exhibition space for the museum. Much of the space has been redecorated and modernized since the 1900s, but a few stone columns with ocean scenes from Gaudi’s original designs still remain.
Casa Mila Entry Hours & Tickets
Entry Hours: Seasonal hours; generally open 9am to 6-8pm daily. Hours vary for sunrise and nighttime tours.
Ticket Prices: Vary by tour type. For essential tour admission around $22 Euros Adults (online); $25 Euros at door. Includes free audio guide and Wifi.
Facilities & Things To Know
Restrooms: Onsite
Gift Shop: Onsite
Food & Drink: The Café La Pedrera is located on the mezzanine floor of Casa Mila.
Casa Mila Accessibility
Casa Mila is partially accessible to the mobility impaired. Access is available through a series of elevators and ramps. There are adaptive restrooms and a wheelchair loan service. Assistive dogs are allowed in all tour spaces. The visually impaired should contact the museum for information on accommodations.
Goodbye from the land of Gaudi, Laura and Randy
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