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La Pedrera (Casa Milà)

La Pedrera (Casa Milà) (57)

Is it a house or an enormous sculpture? The Casa Milà, better known as La Pedrera in one of Gaudí’s most famous buildings, and maybe the most representative of his love of curved lines – you won’t find a single straight one here – and his own conception of nature. 

Situated in the middle of Passeig de Gràcia, at number 92, work began on its construction in 1905 and was completed five years later. It towers over us like a beautiful stone mountain, and that is the reason why it is better known by the name of La Pedrera or Quarry.

It was built by the Milà family who lived on the first five floors.

The entire façade is made of huge blocks which were cut on site, giving them the rugged texture of natural stone, except for the upper part which is covered in white tiles. The combination of stone and tiles gives the feel of a snow-covered peak. 

Doors, windows and balconies are taken to a magic world, where the capriciousness of nature has been a constant inspiration. From the balconies, which lean out like caves, with wrought ironwork imitating enormous leaves, to the chimneys which look like spiral plumes of smoke. 

Architecturally it also offers some curious and surprising elements. For example, the absence of load bearing walls, including the façade. The highly studied structure is supported on pillars and metal beams. The enormous wavy beams holding up the natural cut stone blocks required naval engineering techniques for their design. The only structural walls are those of the staircase. 

The front door made of irregular shaped glass pieces held in place with wrought steel looks like Gaudí has been inspired by a tortoiseshell. 

The inside of the house, which you can visit, presents a magical journey of visual surprises and the unexpected: wavy ceilings, strange spiral staircases, curved doors, gardens leading to nowhere, multi-coloured glass and master quality wrought ironwork. 

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