Casa Mila - La Pedrera (with video) - Antoni Gaudí’s architecure wonder in Barcelona, Spain
February 14, 2019Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí's Casa Mila (called as "La Pedrera" by the locals) is one of the main sights of Barcelona and also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Casa Mila did not meet any of the traditional standards of architecture at that time (1906). So locals called it as “La Pedrera" in Catalan, which literally translates to “stone quarry”, referring to the rough appearance of the building.
What to see in Casa Mila:
From the exterior, Casa Mila appears like a massive rock, broken by wavy lines and iron ornaments and stands with a bright , colourless self-supporting stone façade.
1. Roof-terrace : The Roof-terrace of Casa Mila is an icon of Barcelona that offers spectacular views of the city. It is a remarkable space that exudes an artistic presence and is unlike anything else built at that time.
2. Espai Gaudi : The Casa Mila attic is the most characterful space in Gaudi’s architecture. Crossing its threshold is like entering a vast living, breathing being.
3. Pedrera Apartment: Situated on the fourth storey above the main floor, this apartment shows how a bourgeois family in Barcelona lived in the opening 30 years or so of the 20th century.
4. Courtyards: Colour springs to life in the courtyards of Casa Mila. The walls are a veritable display of shapes, light and colours that contrast with the soberness of the façade.
5. Exhibition: The main floor was given over to the apartment of the Milàs, the first owners of the building and the people who commissioned Gaudí to design it.
Below video tour may give you a nice glimpse of Casa Mila:
Practical Information:
- Address: Provença, 261-265, 08008 Barcelona, Spain
- How to get there: Take Metro (Lines 3 or 5) and get down at “estació Diagonal” stop. You can also take bus (lines 16,17,V17) depends on the direction of your starting point.
- Timings : Monday to Sunday: 9 AM - 6:30 PM and 7 PM - 9 PM
- Entrance ticket price: € 22 (Free Entry with the Barcelona Pass® )
- Official website: www.lapedrera.com/en/visits
Tips to avoid queue at Casa Mila:
As Casa Mila is one of the top attractions
of Barcelona, so there can be huge crowd in the entrances, especially during
peak tourist seasons. Below are some useful ways to skip the crowd.
- Buying tickets on-line gets you fast-track access.
- Try to visit early in the morning or around 4PM in the evening (this is the time of Spanish ‘siesta’, so no locals will be around)
- Barcelona City Pass is also an option, that can save your time & money (depends on your other places of visit)
Honest Review:
It’s
an amazing treasure for the people who’re so into arts & architecture, but not
worth the money (€ 22) and waiting time for a regular tourist. I would
recommend you to ask yourself about what kind of visitor you are - before going
to Casa Mila; otherwise you may get disappointed.
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