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Gaudi’s Casa Batlló

05/24/16 | Barcelona, Europe, Spain, Travel

Casa Batllo? Window

Barcelona is Gaudi’s town and Casa Batlló is one of his greatest accomplishments so when planning our trip to Spain I made sure this unique apartment building had a top spot on our itinerary.  We bought tickets weeks  and while waiting in line on a glorious Spring afternoon I was surprised that I had not booked a guided tour but it made much more since once we got inside and learned that the only option is an audio guide.  Once we wound our way through the queue, even though we arrived at the appointed time, both my mom and I were handed a bright blue audio guide and complementary smartphone for the tour.  It turns out a private family owns the house and the 22 euro per person admission goes to keep it safe.   Okay, then.  #rollinginit  

I must admit, the audio guide started off a bit weird and throughout the entire tour had funny phrases and questions saying, “doesn’t this recall underwater of science fiction novels?”  Well okay then, moving on.  Unlike many of our other tours the handheld piece was not just a walkie talkie like device with buttons to push but instead was an up to date phone, very Oculus-eque, with amazing virtual reality showing you what the room you were standing in looked like when I’m the room.   This was a great feature because while many of the rooms are currently empty the phone and accompanying narrative really made them come to life, especially since Gaudi not only designed the house but also much of the furniture: 

Casa Batllo? RoofCasa Batllo? SignCasa Batllo? Audio GuideCasa Batllo? StaircaseCasa Batllo? FuranceIn the Grand Living Room at Casa Batllo?Casa Batllo? LightCasa Batllo? Light ShaftCasa Batllo? Window DetailModel of Casa Batllo?Casa Batllo? Back GardenCasa Batllo? SkylightsCasa Batllo? Blue Stairway

When you enter the building you head up one flight of stairs and explore the full floor apartment of one family, the main one he designed the building for.  After taking a full loop, including their private garden, you head up flight after flight of stairs in the blue ombre lightwell you pass many partial floor apartments that are now occupied. Another one of the weird audio guide questions that I made sure to take note of was, “Notice the sensual and evocative reliefs” um, no? I literally don’t see what you’re talking about. I did like learning, however, that many of the broken glass and tiles were from destructions of other buildings and one of the first eco friendly constructions.

After winding our way up the stairs through more than five floors of the apartment building we finally got the the stairs leading up to the roof.   While not as pretty as the chimneys on the Palau Güell, the mansion Gaudí desgined for the industrial tycoon Eusebi Güell, the smokestacks for both heat and exhaust were quite pretty atop the Casa Batlló: 

On the Stairs at Casa Batllo?Casa Batllo? ChimneysCasa Batllo? Audioguide with MomCasa Batllo? Roof with MomOn Casa Batllo? RoofCasa Batllo? Roof Detail

From the roof we wound back down the massive staircase of the Casa Batlló, through the gift shop and back on to the Passeig de Gràcia. It has been go-go-go all day so by mid afternoon we were ready for a late lunch and a bit of shopping where I did pick up a few great finds including a handful at H&M – why is their European inventory is always so much better? 

Have you ever been to Casa Batlló? 

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Comments

  1. Lisette says

    May 25, 2016 at 11:01 pm

    Wow! These pictures are truly breathtaking! Looking gorgeous, Kelly!

  2. Miss Fair Lady says

    May 25, 2016 at 5:17 am

    Amazing photos! I live in Barcelona but I have never been in Casa Batllo, can you believe it?!!! have fun xx

    http://www.missfairlady.com

  3. Candice says

    May 24, 2016 at 2:32 pm

    Wow what a gorgeous place

    Candice | Beauty Candy Loves

  4. Nicole @ Audaciously So says

    May 24, 2016 at 2:11 pm

    Ah! We’re going to Barcelona for our honeymoon in September. Up to this point, the only planning we’ve done is booked our airplane tickets and hotel room, so I need to get to work. Casa Batlló is going on the list for sure. 🙂

  5. Tamara says

    May 24, 2016 at 12:38 pm

    What a cool and unusual place! Lovely snaps and such a beautiful dress. Lovely color!

    XoXo,

    Tamara – LoveofMode.com

  6. Jen @ Skirt The Rules says

    May 24, 2016 at 8:15 am

    Gorgeous photos! Looks like such an amazing place!

    xo Jen
    Skirt The Rules

Hi, I am Kelly and welcome to Sparkles and Shoes, a fashion, travel, and lifestyle blog.  I am a New York City girl at heart but I moved to London in the Spring of 2018!

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