Casa Mila (La Pedrera de Gaudi) Reviews (Barcelona, Spain)

Casa Mila

by missj1981

London, England, United Kingdom

July 11, 2012

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Casa MilaThat Gaudi had a big influence of the city of Barcelona becomes clear when you walk around the city. Almost everywere you look you see the influence of this great artist, buildings that have been built by himself or by other inspirate by ...Read more Casa Mila

That Gaudi had a big influence of the city of Barcelona becomes clear when you walk around the city. Almost everywere you look you see the influence of this great artist, buildings that have been built by himself or by other inspirate by him. I love the city of Barcelona and it’s one of my favorites cities to go to. Not only the warm climate and the people are great but moreso the city itself.

Gaudi was a mastermind and even today his influence is still noticeable. One of the great works of Gaudi is Casa Mila. Casa Mila is truely a fascinating buidling and is now part of the unesco world heritage. It's bu’lt in the city center and when arriving with public transport you should get off at the station of Diagonal. From here it’s just a small walk to reach it. You can’t really miss it because there are always large queues outside!

The Casa Mila is open from 9am to 8 pm and it costs 14 euro’s to enter. Expect queues that sometimes go down the street and prepare to wait at least half an hour. But it’s all worth it. With the name Casa Mila you would think it’s a house, but it’s actually an apartment block which is still inhabited by people. The outside is already very Gaudi and has a very natural way to it.

You can admire the everything since it’s all a piece of art. From the ceilings, the walls to the floor everything is designed by Gaudi and is truly amazing. I loved the staircase but you definetately have to go up the roof were you can admire the chimmeys. You can also admire an apartment with it’s original features and furniture.

All in all i think we spent around two hours wandering around and admiring the building. The fact that you can visit an apartment still in tact as how it was when Gaudi designed it, makes it really special. I would certainly recommend going here but just make sure you get here early to avoid the long queues. Five stars.
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From journal Barcelona part 5

Casa Mila

by Joy S

Manchester, England, United Kingdom

April 25, 2012

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Best of IgoUgo This is a really unusual and fascinating building - but then anything designed by Antonio Gaudi could certainly never be described as normal and bland! It is part of a UNESCO World Heritage site and is open from 9am to 8pm. The closest metro stop ...Read more This is a really unusual and fascinating building - but then anything designed by Antonio Gaudi could certainly never be described as normal and bland! It is part of a UNESCO World Heritage site and is open from 9am to 8pm. The closest metro stop is Diagonal - either subway line 3 or 5. It is just a short walk from the metro station to the Casa Mila. The entrance charge is 14 Euros and we spent about 2 hours exploring inside.

We arrived here in the afternoon and found there was a really long queue stretching down the street. It did not seem to be moving at all, so we stocked up on ice-creams and just waited it out. After about half an hour, the queue seemed to suddenly move forward. When we got to the entrance they were taking down a sign from the door which said the house had reached capacity and there were no further admittances. So, eventually we did get to go inside. My advice would be to get here early - it is extremely popular and limited numbers are allowed in at any one time.

Casa Mila is certainly like no other building I have ever seen before. It is not a single house, but is 2 blocks of apartments. The facade is wavy and curvy - just as you would expect from Gaudi, there are no straight lines or right angles. Originally it was built for a wealthy couple, today there are apartments inside, many of which are private homes.

When we paid our entrance fee, we had to go straight up a lot of stairs, round and round. There were over 200 stairs actually, and just as we started to wonder would this never end, we found we were at the roof terrace. This is delightful and a lovely surprise. You feel straightway, as if you are in another world. There are wavy undulating walkways and it is filled with chimneys, which are nothing like any chimney I have ever seen. Some look a bit like people's heads, others are a bit like ice creams. Our son loved exploring up here - it is a great place for children (and adults), full of creativity and imagination. We just wandered around, enjoying the chimneys, but also the views of the neighbourhood and the Sagrada Familia in the distance.

When you manage to drag yourself away from the fantastic roof terrace, there is quite an interesting exhibition in the attic area all about Gaudi. They have scale models of his buildings, including the Casa Mila - it is interesting to look at this, as well as exhibits about his design - he also made furniture and chairs.

After the exhibition, on the way back down, you can also explore an apartment, furnished in late 19th century style. This is interesting too, and good for children because they can be hands-on, you are allowed to touch whatever you like.

Downstairs on the way out, you exit via the gift shop. It has touristy goods but some interesting books and souvenirs.

We all thoroughly enjoyed the Casa Mila, could have spent a lot longer on the roof and would definitely recommend a visit here. Close

From journal All Things Gaudi

La Pedrera - expensive but worth a visit

by Slug

Huddersfield, United Kingdom

March 19, 2012

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Best of IgoUgo My favourite Gaudi site of all remains Park Guell for its sheer impressive space and for the fact it is free, but for a close up view the rooftop of La Pedrera is hard to beat although in my opinion the 15 Euros entrance fee means it has just about ...Read more My favourite Gaudi site of all remains Park Guell for its sheer impressive space and for the fact it is free, but for a close up view the rooftop of La Pedrera is hard to beat although in my opinion the 15 Euros entrance fee means it has just about priced itself out of the "repeat visit" market. That said, as it had been at least a decade since my last visit, and armed with a new camera I thought it was time to bite the bullet let those fingers slip into the wallet and pay another visit.

The best spot of La Pedrera is the roof although if it happens to be raining in Barcelona then it is closed for safety purposes. Rather amusingly you aren't allowed to jump on the roof either, which gives a rather scary thought that you might go though it by stomping around on top.

It has long been said that the hats of Darth Vader and the Storm Troopers of Star Wars; I understand one of the set designers used to work at La Pedrera so I can well believe it. I like getting photos of the chimney with nothing but clear sky around; the apparent peace in the photos tells a lie to the tourists tripping over each other on the ground. That said, it doesn't seem too busy - our friend who is terrified of heights was absolutely fascinated by the chimney pots and rounded sculptural edge of the building and was too excited to notice that she was 9 stories above Barcelona.

Most people seem to rush through the exhibits in what was originally attic space. At 15 Euros a piece I'm going to examine every ceiling tile, joist and carpet tile. Actually, the attic reminds me of being in the gut of a long fish, with a very bendy and articulated rib cage. I enjoyed sitting a while just looking at the form of the building, and one of the displays shows a model of the attic space to show just how intricately designed it is.

Also on this floor are some images of some of the buildings Gaudi designed outside Barcelona. I’ve seen some of his work in Majorca, but have never treated myself to the full Gaudi tour.

The other main aspect to the tour of La Pedrera is the floor below, an existing apartment, laid out from the time it was designed by Gaudi. Despite the ornate ceiling roses, and carving around the window, the apartment could almost be any period piece, and as it is near the top of the building, I think is flattered by the light provided by the inner courtyards. It still looks pretty dark at the base of the building.

All in all, La Pedrera offers a good display of the attention to detail Gaudi had and gives an insight into his building style, and Gaudi’s observation that nature's shapes and forms were solid and worth copying.

Although I am horrified by the admission fee (have I mentioned it yet?), a visit to La Pedrera seems better value than a visit to the other "major" Gaudi house, Casa Batllo with its famous dragon skin roof, where the attractions seem even more "external" (and hence free to view).
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From journal A Tour of Barcelona

the most fabulous house

by Zhebiton

Moscow, Moskva, Russia

May 22, 2011

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Pedrera (1905-1910), better known in Barcelona under the name "La Pedrera" - "Quarry" - the most fabulous of houses of the Catalan capital, and possibly the world. The house looks like a concrete wave, engulfing the sidewalk, a wild rock, which ...Read more

From journal catalonia dreams

A fortress in the city

by jipp05

CA1 1LA, England, United Kingdom

November 23, 2010

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Best of IgoUgo Casa Mila or La Pedrera as it is also known is one of the architect Gaudi's most famous buildings and one of my personal favourite sites in Barcelona. Located on the elegant Passeig De Gracia where you will find botiques from some of the world's ...Read more Casa Mila or La Pedrera as it is also known is one of the architect Gaudi's most famous buildings and one of my personal favourite sites in Barcelona.
Located on the elegant Passeig De Gracia where you will find botiques from some of the world's biggest designers, La Pedrera was commisioned by the wealthy industrialist Pere Mila in 1905 and completed in 1912.
This amazing apartament building was allowed to fade and decay until it was bought by the Caixa Catalunya bank in the 1980's who then set about restoring it to it's former glory. The building is now a UNESCO World Heritage site along with the other building of Gaudi and the second most visited site in Barcelona after La Sagrada Familia also by Gaudi.

Getting to Casa Mila couldn't be easier as Passeig de Gràcia is probably the best connected street in the city. The centre of the city Placa Catalunya is located at the bottom and there are several metro stops along the street but it is an easy and enjoyable stroll up the passeig.
Once on the street it is impossible to miss Casa Mila thanks to it's distinctive art nouveau facade of undulating curves. It really is a amazing building and especially so at night when it is floodlit showing it off to dramatic effect. It was supposed to be like a fortress against the city outside and this is aparent in the severity of the design and although not as beautiful as it's neighbour Casa Batlloit is still stunning in the uniqness of it's design.

The building now houses a museum dedicated to Gaudi and exhibits showing the timeline of the property and the inspiration for Gaudi's work. The restored apartements showing how they would have looked back when the building was built are interesting enough but rather more plain than I would have thought given the amazing building. What is interesting is seeing how they have been designed to have no square rooms but rather these curve mirroring the facade. Out the windows you can see the impressive metal work of the balconies which are supposed to look like waves.

The apartaments were built facing a central courtyard and looking up or down this gives an amazing view of the interlinking patios right up to the sky and down below and is a great photo opportunities. Everywhere you look there is something interesting to look at and although I am a huge Gaudi fan I defy anyone not to be impressed.
If you are really interested in the history of the bulding then get the audio tour as it is really informative and interesting and surprisingly not as boring as you might imagine.

As interesting as the interiors are the real reason so many people visit Casa Mili is to go on the roof and get up close and personal with the amazing design.
Again there isn't a straight line to be found and it is all undulating curves and swirls. There are some amazing sculptures all along the roof which are huge and impossing. The chimneys are all fully functioning but are supposed to represent knights and the details on them such as the ceramic mosaics are beautiful but again there is a severity in them that is missing in his other more fairytale work.
It is not suitable for the disabled unfortunately because there are steps all over the roof and no wheelchair access.
There is a bench which mirrors the famous one at Parc Guell and is a good place to sit and contemplate your surroundings and try and understand how anyone could conceive of the imagination that Gaudi had.

I love Casa mila and it is a place where I return to everytime I visit Barcelona and each time I find something different and surprising that I didn't notice the previous time.

It is open November-February: 09:00 - 18:30 and March-October: 09:00 - 20:00. If coming in summer you should try to get tickets for the rooftop concerts they hold here on a regular basis as it is an experience you will never forget.
The last time I visited it cost 10 Euros for entry and be prepared to experience this amazing site with lot's of other people as it is always full and you will probably have to queue to be able to enter the building. Even if you have to queue an hour it is definately not a site not be missed.

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From journal Beautiful Barcelona

More of Gaudi's Masterpieces

by airynfaerie

St. Augustine, Florida

October 18, 2009

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Best of IgoUgo Two buildings by Barcelona's famed architect and designer, Antoni Gaudi lie within blocks of each other and are noted stops for visitors of all ages while in the city. The Casa Batilo and Casa Mila (La Pedrera) are both located on Passeig de Gracia ...Read more Two buildings by Barcelona's famed architect and designer, Antoni Gaudi lie within blocks of each other and are noted stops for visitors of all ages while in the city. The Casa Batilo and Casa Mila (La Pedrera) are both located on Passeig de Gracia and are two of the most noted pieces of Gaudi's work besides the Sagrada Familia and Park Guell.

This section of the boulevard Passeig de Gracia which contains both buildings is known as the Mancana de la Discòrdia, or "Block of Discord". Named for the discourse of several modern buildings, both with each other and with the buildings around them. Visitors can enjoy the large sidewalks along the avenue with the decorative street lights and tree-line paths, while passing the works of three noted architects including Gaudi, Cadafalch, and Montaner.

Casa Batilo was build in 1877, but restored by Gaudi in 1905. The exterior resembles bones and skeletal forms to many, and even if this wouldn't be the description you'd choose, it definitely is a unique facade by any means. As in true Gaudi form, nature remained his primary influence, as he chose colors from the sea and coral for the mosaic like exterior. Designed for a wealthy aristocrat, it now is a public museum, and is highly praised by architects worldwide for the attention to detail, unique forms, and strange usages of organic shapes.

Casa Mila, is also known as La Pedrera (meaning "quarry") because of the stone-like and rocky form. Originally built as apartments between 1906-1910, now this unique building is a public museum. The exterior is one of Gaudi's most recognized piece of work, and although plain in colors and adornments, is rich with strange wavy shapes and whimsical rooftop chimneys. Located on a corner, this building is shaped so that each space during the day gets at least a little bit of sunlight. Supposedly though, one of the reasons it didn't work as an apartment building, was because renters couldn't place their furniture because of each room's odd shape.

Just a walk along the Block of Discourse to view the exteriors of these buildings in an experience in itself, but if you've save up enough euros for the entrance fees, then by all means, take the trips inside...another world awaits you there.

CASA BATLLO
• http://www.casabatllo.es/
• Casa Batlló, No.43 Passeig de Gràcia
• Metro stop Green Line, L3: Passeig de Gràcia
• Admission fee: 17.50euros
• Open daily 9am - 8pm

CASA MILA (La Pedrera)
• http://www.lapedreraeducacio.org/flash.htm
• Passeig de Gràcia, No.92
• Metro stop Green Line, L3: Diagonal
• Admission fee: 9.50euros
• Open daily 9am - 6:30pm (winter), 9am - 8pm (summer)
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From journal Some of the Major Sites of Barcelona

In Nature there are no Straight Lines...

by Jennifer23

Newcastle upon Tyne, England, United Kingdom

September 10, 2009

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Best of IgoUgo During my recent trip to Barcelona, I was very interested in visiting the various works of Antoni Gaudi.Having visted Parc Guell and The Unfinished Church, we then went to visit La Casa Mila, or 'La Pedrera' as it is more commonly known.Placed in ...Read more

From journal A Break in Barcelona

Casa Mila

by MichaelJM

Nottingham, England

March 19, 2008

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Best of IgoUgo Before you even enter the Mila you’re with the strange and yet fascinating world of Gaudi – the building looks “off the wall” from the main street and I could feel the excitement building as I neared the front of the queue for the ticket booth. The ...Read more Before you even enter the Mila you’re with the strange and yet fascinating world of Gaudi – the building looks “off the wall” from the main street and I could feel the excitement building as I neared the front of the queue for the ticket booth. The mosaic walls are enhanced by the organic curves of the bow windows and the randomly shaped and positioned balconies. Delicately carved “twig like” columns serve more as decorative additions rather than structural support and the 20 plus windows over 5 floors almost seem to be smiling down at us. This place has character and really doesn’t seem to be an inanimate building – I know that sounds daft, but the house does seem to “live”.

Once inside two magnificent decorative vases catch our attention (you’d actually be hard-pressed to ignore this colourful twosome) standing proudly on tall tables on the highly polished wooden floor under an eye-like inset light and in the stairwell of a fantastic wooden staircase. The detail, even at this early point of our visit is incredible and I’m both amused and fascinated by the beautifully finished and unique wavy skirting board.

It’s impossible not to caress the stair rail as we ascend to the first floor and enter a womb like ante room. Throughout the building elaborate leaded windows abound and there’s an abundance of fascinating, dare I say fantastic (in the literal sense) chandeliers, and some truly amazing windows. The walls of the house are creatively sculptured confirming my belief that this dwelling almost “lives”. There’s a brilliant, almost amusing, log burning stove set back in a recessed accessed by a mushroom shaped open entrance. In this recess are a couple of bench seat, fully integrated with the tiled walls, where on a cold winter’s day the house’s occupants could snuggle down to keep warm.

The main room of the first floor is exquisite with its sensational partially stained glassed windows, their intriguing shape and those delicate pillars. A myriad of colours and shadows drench the room giving a surreal sensation on the senses. Although I felt things couldn’t get any better the house piles more of the Gaudi experience on to you.

Magnificent shaped and sculptured doors give a soft and delicate feel to the entrances and the amazing atrium, with a bizarre four-person lift is just amazing to behold. It’s tiled in beautifully contrasting blues that catches the light to perfection and numerous windows look down on to this open-air courtyard.

We headed next for the house’s courtyard and garden space. By now you won’t be surprised to read that once again this space is “littered with mosaics” and the view of the back of the house, with its fine wrought iron balconies is almost reminiscent of an ocean liner. The lines of the house undulate both horizontally and vertically given the house a unique appearance.

We’d walked up the stairs and I was determined to trey out the lift. However, it’s real small so I was guaranteed a wait. Not that it mattered because there were plenty of things to check out whilst waiting: the crazy doors that open onto the landing; the immaculate tiling; the carefully constructed lift space; the airiness of the atrium, beautifully constructed, staircases; shiny marbled steps. Just to highlight a few!
The journey down in the lift was steady and comfortable but you wouldn’t want to suffer from claustrophobia and having reached the bottom I couldn’t resist climbing the staircase once again to check out parts that I'd missed on my ascent.

What a great, fascinating experience - can't recommned it highly enough.
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From journal A Bit of Gaudi

Casa Mila - Top Floor and Beyond

by MichaelJM

Nottingham, England

March 13, 2008

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Best of IgoUgo The roof spaces are never usually designed to inspire and often you’d only clamber to the top to explore the view, but here at Casa Mila you’ll get the best of both worlds. There’s almost a 360° panorama of the City’s skyscape, but more impressive ...Read more The roof spaces are never usually designed to inspire and often you’d only clamber to the top to explore the view, but here at Casa Mila you’ll get the best of both worlds. There’s almost a 360° panorama of the City’s skyscape, but more impressive is the Gaudi influence on the foreground. It’s almost weaved into the cityscape and although this will have changed considerably over the years it’s almost as if Gaudi took account of it when undertaking the work high up here on the roof of Casa Mila.

Of course like many rooftops there’s a plethora of chimney pots but these are somewhat different - there’s a myriad of colours on the curious shaped stacks and for Lewis Caroll fans you’d almost be excused thinking that you’d passed through Alice’s looking glass. The chimneys twist and turn with each curve lovingly covered in shiny mosaic tiling. Each stack is topped with a carefully crafted pyramid and a tiny sphere seems to hang timorously at the pinnacle. Each one is unique.

At one end of the roof is a curiously shaped building, which I suspect must have been a storage space at one time. People were queuing up enter, so of course we need to join the throng and check out the inside of the building. Some people come out looking slightly bemused whilst others seem highly animated and excited. We wait in line! We didn’t need to wait that long and we entered the “ginger bread house” into a dimly lit room with a water feature as a centrepiece. I didn’t really grasp the point of this and although it was “interesting” I think I left with that “slight bemused look” on my face.

To the side of this attic annex there were some “different views” across town as I peered through the facia of the building and glanced up to a stylish and ornate cross that sat stylishly on the top of the “ginger bread house”.

On the floor below the rooftop is a perfectly well preserved wash room area. I’m guessing that it must have been a bit of a drag having to lug everything up to the top floor but the detail that has gone into this attic space is no less than anywhere else in the house.

A Beautifully arched room shows glimpses of light from the small windows reflecting onto the chequered floor. The original small washroom spaces off a fascinatingly white arched arched corridor are still there to check out and although these are utilitarian spaces they’re still nicely kitted out. The large arched room has a simple message from Gaudi provided from a hologram installation on the wall. It’s kind of spooky but really brings home the impact that this man still has on the architecture of Barcelona.

There’s a beautifully crafted spiral staircase almost hidden from anything other than preying eyes and once again although it’s not in full view the craftsmanship and eye for detail is almost beyond belief. Certainly in many houses of its age this would have been a basic construction. But not in Casa Batllo.

An amazing part of the house which continues the "theme" of a fairy-time experience. Close

From journal A Bit of Gaudi

Casa Mila

by Roozie

Los Angeles, California

February 13, 2008

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Best of IgoUgo This is Gaudi's famous apartment building. In the summer they have jazz concerts on the roof, something I did not know until I arrived. The price of visiting was expensive, but what a wonderland awaits you upon entering. If you enjoy seeing unique ...Read more

From journal Gaudi Barcelona

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Casa Mila (La Pedrera de Gaudi)

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La Pedrera - expensive but worth a visit

the most fabulous house

A fortress in the city

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Casa Mila (La Pedrera de Gaudi)

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Casa Mila

Casa Mila

La Pedrera - expensive but worth a visit

the most fabulous house

A fortress in the city

More of Gaudi's Masterpieces

In Nature there are no Straight Lines...

Casa Mila

Casa Mila - Top Floor and Beyond

Casa Mila