Casa Mila (La Pedrera), Barcelona

09/04/2024

Casa Milà is a residential building in Barcelona, designed by the Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí for the Milà family. Constructed between 1906 and 1910, it is one of the most significant examples of Gaudí’s architectural work and Catalan Modernism.

The building is also widely known by its nickname “La Pedrera” (Spanish for “quarry”), given because of its massive stone façade with irregular, wave-like forms that resemble a rock face. At the time of its completion, the unconventional appearance of the building provoked mixed reactions.

Casa Milà is located at the intersection of Passeig de Gràcia and Carrer de Provença, near Diagonal Avenue. It stands within walking distance of Plaça de Catalunya, the city’s central square, and can also be reached by metro (Diagonal station) or tourist bus routes.

Today, Casa Milà continues to function as a residential and office building, while also serving as a major cultural landmark. Part of the building is open to the public for guided visits. The tour includes the entrance hall, the central courtyard, and the rooftop, known for its distinctive chimneys and ventilation towers. Visitors can also see the attic space, which houses an exhibition dedicated to Gaudí’s architectural methods, and a reconstructed apartment furnished in the style of the 1920s.

Casa Milà has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1984, as part of the collective listing “Works of Antoni Gaudí.”