Casa Batlló, a building on Barcelona’s Passeig de Gràcia, stands as one of the most iconic structures in the city. Redesigned by Antoni Gaudí in 1904, the building is widely recognized as a masterpiece. But the real story lies not in its grandeur, but in the detailed work that revealed itself to Gaudí’s keen mind.
The exterior of Casa Batlló is most striking, with a scale-like texture that resembles the hide of a dragon. This detail was inspired by Gaudí’s love for nature and his desire to create a building that was both beautiful and unique.
The dragon-like exterior was formed by using broken ceramic tiles, a technique known as 'trencadís' in Catalan, creating a mosaic effect that covers the entire building. The tiles were sourced from a factory in Manresa, a town just north of Barcelona, and were imported from towns all across Europe.
Over time, the tiles have worn away and the building has been restored several times. However, the original design remains, a testament to the skill and creativity of Antoni Gaudí.
Inside, the building is just as fascinating. The ground floor features a central well, surrounded by a series of pillars shaped like pitchforks. The first floor, meanwhile, is home to a beautiful balcony that overlooks the street below, its wrought-iron railings shaped like the skeletons of dead trees.
Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons
Written by Nicolo Ciampini
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