Casa Milà. La Pedrera

Casa Milà is a modernist building by Antoni Gaudí dating from 1905-1911, which totally broke the mould. Next to the stone structure, we can highlight the wrought iron balconies. The building is the perfect example of curved lines in Gaudí’s work.

After the Sagrada Familia, this is the most well known work of Antoni Gaudí, built between 1905 and 1911. It is the last, and without a doubt the most striking, of the living spaces designed by the genial Architect, and is the most significant example of the curved line in his work.

Its official name is the casa Milà, as it was commissioned for Pere Milà, but it is popularly known as the Pedrera. Outside the grey stone undulating sculpted façade, decorated with wrought iron balconies is of note. Inside is the feeling of the unreal as if one has entered a fantasy world.

Open to the public are the hallway, the grand indoor patio, a floor completely filled with furniture designed by the architect and the terrace with several phantasmagoric chimneys, known as espantabrujas, inspired by the landscapes of the Turkish Cappadocia. From here there is beautiful view of the city.

One can also visit the so called Espacio Gaudí, in the attic, that was previously a laundrette, with 270 plain brick catenary arcs that create a structure that appears like a skeleton with curious perspectives. Here there is a small museum where models of all of Gaudis´ buildings are on show as well as photographs, designs and audiovisual presentations on the life and work of the architect.

The Piso de la Pedrera, (Pedrera flat) was opened in 1999 as a permament exhibition space and is situated on the fourth floor of the building. It has a total area of 569 square metres, and recreates the flat of a Barcelona family at the start of the 20th century and is decorated with furniture and items from the period.

The building was declared a Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1984 and two years later was acquired by Caixa Catalunya who made it their head office. On the ground floor temporary exhibitions are held.