A Visit to Casa Mila in Barcelona
Barcelona, located on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea, is known for its stunning architecture, rich history and vibrant culture. One of the most famous landmarks in the city is the Sagrada Familia, a large and unique church designed by the architect Antoni Gaudí.
Besides its architecture, Barcelona is also known for its lively streets and delicious food. Visitors love to explore the city's markets, like La Boqueria, where they can try fresh fruits, seafood and traditional Spanish dishes like tapas. The city also has a strong connection to art and culture, with museums, galleries and theaters offering a wide range of experiences.
Barcelona attracts a wide variety of tourists from all over the world. Many come for the city's rich cultural and historical heritage, many come for its beautiful coastline, some come for the culinary scene and some for the football. But a majority come for the architecture - especially to see the works of Antoni Gaudí.
Antoni Gaudí was a famous Spanish architect known for his unique and imaginative designs that have become synonymous with Barcelona. Born in 1852, Gaudí's work is celebrated for its organic shapes, vibrant colours and intricate details, often inspired by nature. One of his most famous creations is the Sagrada Familia that attracts millions of visitors each year. Other than that, Gaudí's innovative style can be seen in his other creations like Park Güell, Casa Vicens and Casa Batlló.
During our holiday to Barcelona, we tried to visit many of Gaudí's popular buildings including Casa Mila which is locally also known as La Pedrera (the stone quarry).
Casa Mila
Casa Milà is located in the Eixample district of Barcelona at Passeig de Gràcia, 92, which is one of the city's main boulevards known for its stunning modernist architecture and high-end shops. It is close to another of Gaudí's famous works, Casa Batlló, and is about a 15-20 minute walk from Plaça de Catalunya, making it central and easily accessible by public transport or on foot.
Casa Milà was recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984 as part of the collective listing titled 'Works of Antoni Gaudí'. This designation highlighted the building’s contribution to the development of architecture and construction techniques in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Gaudí’s use of a self-supporting stone facade, curved iron beams and innovative ventilation system were groundbreaking for that time and with the UNESCO designation Casa Milà is acknowledged as a symbol of Gaudí's genius and as a landmark that has influenced modern architecture around the world.
The best time to visit Casa Milà (La Pedrera) would depend on what kind of experience you're looking for. If you want to avoid crowds and have a more peaceful experience, then a morning visit would be the best. Visiting later in the afternoon, a few hours before closing, can also be a good choice as the crowds start to thin out. You may enjoy softer natural lighting for photography.
And, if you're looking for a unique experience, consider the La Pedrera Night Experience. These guided night tours offer a light and projection show on the rooftop, giving you a magical view of the city under the night sky.
Whatever tour you choose to go on, we recommend that you book your Casa Mila tickets in advance to avoid disappointment.
We spent a couple of hours at Casa Milà and based on what we saw, here are some highlights that we think you should take note of to fully appreciate Gaudí's masterpiece.
The Facade of Casa Milà
We loved the facade of the building. It has such a beautiful, organic design featuring undulating, wave-like design that gives the building its nickname, 'The Stone Quarry'. We also liked the intricate, plant-like wrought-iron balconies designed by Josep Maria Jujol. Each balcony is unique and adds to the naturalistic aesthetic of the building.
The Rooftop at Casa Milà
The rooftop of Casa Milà is a must-see for its iconic, sculptural chimneys that resemble surreal figures. Some people say they resemble warriors while some say they are abstract art pieces. To me they looked like guardians of the building.
The rooftop offers spectacular views of Barcelona, including the Sagrada Família in the distance and is one of the most photographed parts of Casa Milà.
The Attic at Casa Milà
The attic houses an exhibition dedicated to Gaudí's life, work and architectural innovations. It's a fantastic place to understand the methods and inspirations behind his projects.
The attic’s own design is a beauty in itself - it is a unique catenary arch design inspired by natural curves and is worth admiring. This structural feature not only creates a visually striking space but also supports the roof.
The Apartments at Casa Milà
I loved how some of the apartments in Casa Milà have been reconstructed in their original 20th-century style. Visitors can tour the recreated period apartment to see how the building would have looked in its original residential function. This, I felt, not only showcased the original decor and modernist design elements that embody Gaudí’s attention to detail and practicality but also provided insights into the lifestyle of upper-class Barcelona residents in the early 1900s.
The Courtyard at Casa Milà
Every aspect of this building has been designed with so much attention to detail and I loved this thought-process of Gaudí. The courtyards have been designed to let in ample natural light, enhancing the open floor plan of the building.
The colourful murals and irregular shapes reflect Gaudí's inspiration from nature. The interplay of colours, textures and shapes, all of which are seamlessly integrated into the building's aesthetic, is beautiful.
I had heard of Gaudí before visiting Barcelona but it was only after visiting some of his buildings in Barcelona did I get a better understanding of the art and symbolism in his works. Throughout Casa Milà, if you look, you’ll find elements inspired by the natural world. There are marine motifs, organic patterns and natural elements - all of these reflect Gaudí’s strong religious beliefs and fascination with the natural world.
Aside from art and symbolism, another wonderful aspect of Gaudí’s work is the marvellous structural and engineering aspect in his works. If you look at Casa Milà's exterior walls, you will notice that they don’t bear the weight of the building. It is a self-supporting stone facade and this was an innovative concept at the time it was built.
Gaudí designed Casa Milà with a flexible layout, using iron beams so that interior walls could be moved to adapt to different needs over time. How amazing is that!
There is a lot to see and admire in Casa Milà. And that is why you will need at least 2-3 hours to experience this beautiful building.
How to get to Casa Mila
There are several ways to get to Casa Milà depending on where you are based and how you would like to travel.
The easiest way is to take the metro. You can use Line 3 (Green Line) or Line 5 (Blue Line) and get off at the 'Diagonal' station. From there, Casa Milà is just a short walk, located at Passeig de Gràcia, 92.
A number of city buses also stop near Casa Milà. You can take bus numbers 7, 16, 17, 22, 24, or V17, which all stop close to Passeig de Gràcia, within walking distance of the building.
If you're already in the city center, you can easily walk to Casa Milà. It’s about a 20-minute walk from Plaça de Catalunya, the central square of Barcelona. Just head north along Passeig de Gràcia, and you’ll find Casa Milà on your left. I recommend walking, if you can, as this allows you to take in the other beautiful buildings on the way. Also, a great chance to pick up Barcelonian souvenirs.
For those who prefer taxi travel, they are widely available in Barcelona and can take you directly to Casa Milà from wherever you are based. Just tell the driver to take you to "La Pedrera" or "Casa Milà".
Casa Mila | Passeig de Gràcia, 92, 08008 Barcelona.
Email | [email protected]
Telephone | +34 932 142 576
Tip: There is a gift shop on site where you could pick up some unique Barcelona souvenirs.
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