Casa Batlló: A Journey Through Fantasy and Innovation
Casa Batlló is one of the most interesting buildings in the history of Barcelona’s architecture, designed by the visionary architect Antoni Gaudí and completed between 1904 and 1906. This famous structure which is located on the busy Passeig de Gràcia is particularly famous for its colourful appearance and organic forms. The gothic style is taken to the extreme and ornamented in Gaudí’s manner with mosaic of shiny ceramic tiles, balconies in the form of bones and a façade to resemble the scales of a dragon.
The inside of Casa Batlló is an absolute feast to the five senses due to the open space, playful elements and light and air installations. Gaudí demonstrated his understanding of form and function through such features as the building’s curved lines and the creative use of space. Casa Batlló is one of the most outstanding examples of Catalan Modernisme and the pinnacle of Gaudí’s visionary talent, and now it is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Learn about the magic and the brilliance that defines one of the most popular sites in Barcelona as you stroll through this architectural wonder.
History of Casa Batlló
The history of Casa Batlló reflects elements of Antonio Gaudí’s revolutionary vision and the architectural development of Barcelona. The building was a fairly common construction of the period when it was initially built in 1877 by a famous architect Emilio Sala Cortés who was also Gaudí’s teacher. But change was afoot in Paseo de Gràcia and in 1903, a wealthy textile merchant Josep Batlló y Casanovas acquired the plot of land. Batlló hired Gaudí to renovate the structure because he wished to make a statement.
In 1904-1906, Gaudí decided to challenge himself and redesign Casa Batlló instead of its complete demolition and reconstruction. He changed the inside of the house to a more contemporary with an open space and great lighting and transformed the outside into a fairy tale with colorful ceramics and curving shapes. At this time known as ‘The Bone of Contention’, Casa Batlló was struggling for recognition as one of the masterpieces of the new modernist city together with other buildings on Passeig de Gràcia such as Casa Amatller and Casa Lleó Morera.
After the Batlló family left the building in the 1950s, the building changed hands several of times. Last, in the 1990 s the Bernat family decided to renovate it and brought it back to its original state. Casa Batlló which opened its doors for the public in 1995 has been accredited as a World Heritage Site and an epitome of Catalan Modernisme. Today it tells the story of architectural evolution of Barcelona and the creativity of Gaudí and visitors come in more than one million per year.
Make sure you plan your visit to Casa Batlló so that you can see this marvel of architecture with your own eyes and become enchanted by the world of Gaudí’s imagination.
SIMBÒLIC Casa Batlló STORE – A PLACE WHERE EVERY PRODUCT HAS A STORY
The Simbòlic Casa Batlló Store is a shop that is designed in a way that recreates the beauty of Gaudí’s masterpiece, so that shopping is a wonderful experience that is worth the visit. Fascinated with the unique vision of Gaudí and the cultural background of Barcelona, this store offers a wide range of products and trinkets inside the Casa Batlló.
Visitors can buy all sorts of products from the store such as jewelry and home accessories that are inspired by the Casa Batlló’s whimsical shapes; replicas of the building’s bones-like balconies and dragon-like roof among others. Apart from the organic approach to design, the use of organic shapes and the genius loci that defines Casa Batlló, visitors of the store will be able to find exclusive, limited edition products.
You can be sure that every item you buy is not just a souvenir – it is a part of the building’s history, the story of creativity of Barcelona and the spirit of Modernisme movement. If you are in the search for a memorable gift or a souvenir, the Simbòlic Casa Batlló Store offers a range of options that connect visitors to the enchanting world of Gaudí’s work.
Visit Casa Batlló and feel the magic of this place; take a souvenir from the Simbòlic Store that will remind you of the architectural masterpiece.
Casa Batlló is COMMITTED TO AUTISM AWARENESS
Casa Batlló is the first cultural center in the world that employs a team of neurodiverse people to help the guests, thus becoming a pioneer in the fight against autism. Apart from highlighting the neurodiverse staff’s uniqueness, including different ways of thinking and solving problems or paying close attention to details, this program enhances the visitors’ experience by providing individual assistance and being more understanding.
In order to ensure that neurodiverse employees can perform their duties effectively and at the same time, have their needs met, Casa Batlló has gone the extra mile in its recruitment policy by offering such persons training and accommodation. Also, it is an example of how cultural organizations around the world can act as an organization that engages in educational activities that increase awareness of neurodiversity and autism.
Casa Batlló‘s innovative strategy does double duty: it eliminates prejudice and stereotypes, and helps to expand the space for representation and recognition in the sphere of culture. Their desire is that other companies and cultural institutions will also understand the importance of neurodiversity as much as Casa Batlló did. Altogether, it is possible to enhance awareness and tolerance in all fields by creating more open spaces and promoting people with neurological disorders.
They encourage other institutions to embrace neurodiversity and create welcoming spaces for all people, just as Casa Batlló has done.
STREET ESCAPE: GAUDÍ AND THE HIDDEN TREASURE
An exciting outdoor escape room adventure with Barcelona’s rich architectural landscape as a backdrop is Street Escape: Gaudí and The Secret of the Sacred Heart. An interactive game where players are encouraged to solve puzzles and riddle while going round some of the famous modernist buildings in the city. During your walk through Barcelona, you will discover hidden treasures and secrets associated with the works of Antoni Gaudí, the famous architect of the Sagrada Família and the enigmatic Park Güell.
As an educational and entertaining experience, the adventure is designed as a chance to meet the cultural heritage of the city. As such, in this fun and engaging atmosphere, the players enhance their problem solving and cooperation skills as they solve puzzles and unlock mysteries in teams. Street Escape is an exciting game of treasure hunt which enables you to visit some of the most beautiful architectural marvels in Barcelona. It is ideal for families, friends, and tourists who would love to be entertained and learn at the same time.
Welcome to Street Escape – get to know the secrets of Barcelona’s modernist buildings with your team! This is an opportunity you should not afford to miss in this lifetime!
Casa Batlló MAGICAL NIGHTS
Magical Nights at Casa Batlló is an opportunity to spend an evening in one of the most famous buildings in Barcelona. This is an unforgettable show when the legendary Antoni Gaudí building transforms into the musical and light show after the sunset. The inside and the outside of the house are magical and the guests are welcome to come in with lights to see the colours and details.
The night is filled with the cultural attractions like the live music that complements the building’s design and creates the right atmosphere. The topiary and dreamlike structure is further illuminated by special lighting which gives a new perspective to Gaudí’s unique concept. There are often tours included in the event and it provides guests with an opportunity to know more about Casa Batlló and its history when enjoying the magical atmosphere.
Discover the unique architectural wonder of Barcelona in a way that is more than a visit to the house – Casa Batlló Magical Nights.
Celebrating Gaudí’s Masterpiece and Its Legacy
Casa Batlló is one of the best examples of Gaudí’s creativity where he has used both whimsical style and innovation to enthral people across the globe. Its dragon like façade and the detailed work in the interiors well depict the architectural genius of Gaudí and symbolizes Catalan Modernisme. In addition to the architectural and ornamental features, Casa Batlló stands out for its concern for the integration of people with neurological differences: this place was the first cultural center to employ a neurodiverse team and raise awareness of neurodiversity.
It is even more wonderful to see the building transform into a spectacular show during the Casa Batlló’s Magical Nights. The Street Escape adventure enriches the cultural experience since the visitors are allowed to solve problems while discovering modern buildings in Barcelona.
Casa Batlló can be considered as a tourism product because of its history, architectural creativity, variety and interaction. Casa Batlló is one of the most remarkable buildings of the world that celebrates art and history and is an integral part of the present and the future.
