Casa Batlló

Mikhailla Flores Royo

HistoryThe building located at

number 43, Passeig de Gràcia was originally built by Emilio Sala Cortés in

1877.  It was acquired by Mr. Josep Batlló y

Casanovas in 1903, and it was he who commissioned Gaudí to carry out work on it.

The initial plan was to knock the existing building down, but finally it was decided to renovate instead. 

The façade of the Casa Batlló is made of sandstone covered with colorful trencadis (a Catalan type of mosaic).

Façade

Scaled RoofThe colorful scaled roof recalls a reptile skin. According to some authorities on Gaudí architecture, the roof represents a dragon; the small turret with a cross would symbolize the sword of St. George stuck into the dragon.

Interior Design

He paid great attention to detail when designing the wooden doors, stained glass windows, colorful tiles and carved out fireplace.

Casa Batlló has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2005. In the same year, several other buildings designed by Gaudí were declared World Heritage Sites, including the Nativity Facade and the Crypt of the Sagrada Familia, Casa Vicens and the Güell Complex.

When was it nominated?

Why was it nominated?•Criterion (i): to represent a masterpiece of human creative genius.

•Criterion (ii): to exhibit an important interchange of human values, over a span of time or within a cultural area of the world, on developments in architecture or technology, monumental arts, town-planning or landscape design.

•Criterion (iv): to be an outstanding example of a type of building, architectural or technological ensemble or landscape which illustrates significant stages in human history.