Guía de Praga

Casa Batlló

Building from years 1875-1877 receives its fame from the reconstruction between the years 1904-1906, which was made by famous Antoni Gaudi in cooperation with architect Josep M. Jujol. Casa Batlló originally built as a townhouse, became after it was bought in 1900 by wealthy nobleman, Josep Batlló and after the Gaudi´s rebuilding the hallmark of mystical calm sea and the elements of life in it. The aim of the reconstruction was to link a wealthy family living comfortable with the supervision of tenants. The arrangement of the house was so well conceived, on the upper floors of the house lived Batlló with his family, the lower floor was rented. The look from outside gives the space for human imagination - Casa Batlló looks like it was made from skulls and bones. Local name of the building is the Casa dels Ossos (House of bones).

Skulls are in this case, balconies, pillars of the bones that support them. Gaudi also in this building didn´t miss his tribute to Catalonia, which is his birthplace. The roof of Casa Batlló reminds dragon appearance. The cross in front, which ends with the main tower embodies the lance of Saint George (saint patron of Catalonia), which seemed as he is killing the dragon. Skulls and bones are all victims of the dragon, while George the Saint did not kill him. As well as Casa Amatller, Casa Morera and Casa Lleó also the Casa Batlló is included in the file ”Manzana de la Discordia“, the apple of discord into three major modernist architects and their different conceptions of buildings. All three can be found on the Passeig de Gracia, the first under the number 35, second under the number 41 and Casa Batlló under the number 43.

Casa Batlló is one of the most important buildings with the Gaudi´s indelible imprint. Facade is richly decorated with mosaics of broken ceramic tiles (in Catalan, this type of puzzle called trencadís) in a wide variety of colors. Gaudi begins with yellow and orange and green and blue ends, so as we mentioned, the color of the sea, which greatly inspired him. The facade of Casa Batlló is often likened to a series of oil paintings by Monet called ”Water Lilies“.
As well as imaginative and fascinating view of the external facade and the building is also its interior. Gaudi here definitely run out from the direct strokes and lines in general.

Very crucial in this case, elaborate wooden doors, stained glass windows, whose size varies throughout the building for any type of light. For example, windows on the highest floors, have stretched shape, which gave the house another of the many attributes, namely, that the house yawns.
In present, the Casa Batlló is not only a place of tourist experiences, but also offers an opportunity to organize private events and activities in one of the great halls and space. The most popular include Floor Nobles (noble floor) and Jujol room (room dedicated to Gaudí's colleague J. Jujol).