Antoni Gaudi’s soul lives on through Casa Batllo. Made by the Spanish architect in 1906, Casa Batllo reimagined buildings and what they represent, setting a benchmark that has inspired millions of structures worldwide.
Nature and faith strongly influenced Antoni Gaudi, the chief architect of Casa Batllo. The building is a Modernisme masterpiece, with colorful mosaics and irregular curves that somehow blend well. Casa Batllo’s balconies are also a step away from the Renaixença, or Catalan Renaissance movement prevalent at the time. Gaudi and the other architects thought little of symmetry while designing the building, yet its disfigurement has an undeniable charisma. The ceramic tiles atop the roof look like dragon scales, adding another layer of wonder to the Casa Batllo.
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Casa Batllo had a beginning before Antoni Gaudi turned it into a masterpiece. A wealthy family bought the property, with Emilio Sala Cortés designing the Casa Batllo in the 1870s. Thanks to the approval of an urban plan, Paseo de Gracia became a prominent street, increasing the demand for the land where Casa Batllo sits. Cortés, who was Gaudi’s professor at the School of Architecture, designed a modern structure despite the limitations of the time. Electric light wasn’t present in Barcelona, but Cortés managed to design a decent building in 1877.
Josep Batlló I Casanovas, a prominent industrialist and businessman, purchased the Casa Batllo property in 1900. He had a unique vision for the building and recognized Antoni Gaudi as the man to make it happen. Gaudi had a sizable reputation at the same and began working on the property starting in 1904. He completed the renovation in two years, transforming his professor’s design into a marvelous building with lots of color and unique architectural elements like broken ceramics. The Modernisme style used by Gaudi set the stage for a new architectural movement in the 20th century.
The 1930s was a tumultuous period for Casa Batllo. Its owner, Josep Batllo, died in 1934, and the building suffered severe blows in the Spanish Civil War. After the war, the Batllo family sold the property in the 1950s, with several owners living in the building until the 1990s. Candy company Chupa Chups bought the home, carrying out restorations and restoring the building to its former glory. The property was opened to the public in 2002, giving them a close-up view of its majestic architecture and interior. Casa Batllo was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005.
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Casa Batllo was built in 1877 by Emilio Sala Cortés, Antoni Gaudi’s professor.
Casa Batllo has a Modernisme architectural style.
Casa Batllo, in its current form, was designed by Antoni Gaudi.
Casa Batllo has a height of 32m and a width measuring 14.5m.
Casa Batllo’s architecture is famous because it has a unique architectural style and attractive layout.
It took three years for Antoni Gaudi to construct Casa Batllo.
The main architectural elements of the Casa Batllo include the main facade, dragon-esque rooftop, and striking interiors.
The cost of building Casa Batllo is unclear. However, going by its unique elements and design, the building likely cost over a million euros.
