Casa Batlló

The Casa Batlló (1904–1906) is Gaudí's craziest masterpiece — a residential building on Passeig de Gràcia that looks as if it were alive. No straight line, no right angles, but a facade of shimmering ceramic shards, bone-shaped balconies, and a roof that resembles the back of a dragon. UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2005.

The Facade

The facade is Gaudí's interpretation of the Legend of Saint George (Sant Jordi, patron saint of Catalonia): The scale-like roof is the dragon's back, the tower cross the knight's lance, the bone-like balconies the remains of the victims, and the blue-green ceramics the shimmering sea. The interpretation is controversial — some see water and water lilies, others bones and skulls. Gaudí never commented on it. At night, the facade is illuminated — a spectacle.

The Interior

The interior is a journey into an underwater world: The light well is tiled in various shades of blue from top to bottom — dark blue at the top (where much light falls), light blue at the bottom (where little light reaches). Gaudí thought in terms of light distribution, not decoration. The main apartment of the Batlló family (Noble Floor) has mushroom-shaped fireplaces, windows like turtle shells, and ceilings that resemble ocean waves.

The Augmented Reality Tour

Since 2022, Casa Batlló offers an immersive AR experience: With a tablet, you see Gaudí's visions come to life — butterflies fly through the light well, dragons climb over the roof, confetti rains from the sky. It sounds kitschy, but it's brilliantly executed and makes the visit an experience even for children and architecture skeptics. Included in the ticket.