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| Visiting Casa Batlló |
October 6, 2016
On the second morning of my Barcelona Sketching Holiday I
woke early to lightning flashes and crashing thunder that seemed to be directly
over my head, accompanied by torrential rain! I had planned to
walk to Casa Batlló – I had a 9:30 time slot for my visit – and needed to leave
the apartment by 9am at the latest. I had not planned on rain! But, not to be
deterred, I knew there were buses and a Metro stop not far away. I made coffee,
had a light breakfast and tried to figure out from my guidebooks and maps how
to get there without getting soaked in the process! I needn’t have worried! By
around 8:30 the rain has slowed to a mere drizzle and I headed out, armed with
a small umbrella. How beautiful the city looked in the rain! The barks of the
sycamore trees that line the streets had darkened, accentuating their mottled
colors and the patterned sidewalks glistened as if they were varnished. By
the time I reached my destination, the storm clouds had passed and while the
sun never fully appeared, the rain, at least for now, was over.
Since I had made reservations for the self-guided tour of
Casa Batlló, upon arrival I was able to walk right in, avoiding the line that
was already forming. I’m guessing that the weather had deterred some tourists
from visiting that day so the crowds were light, which was OK with me! I had plenty
of room to take out my journal and do some sketching inside as well
as on the roof, that was almost the best part! The details in this place are
astonishing!
My visit included the Entrance Hall and Main Staircase,
the Noble Floor (the original residence of the Batlló family), Attic (formally
storage rooms and wash tubs), and the spectacular Roof Terrace with its Chimneys.
To see some truly
gorgeous photographs
and learn more about Gaudí and Casa Batlló, click
here. I wish the light had been better, but I can't complain - I was there!!
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| Patterned pavers on Passeig de Gracia |
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| Casa Batlló exterior |
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| Cozy nook |
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| View of the street through the windows |
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| Entrance Hall - gorgeous woodwork everywhere! |
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| Looking down from stairwell |
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| More gorgeous woodwork! |
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| Courtyard outside - backyard if you will |
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| More entrance details |
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| Elevator |
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| Staircase detail - sorry about the lack of focus! |
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| Interior courtyard tile work |
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| Chimneys - nothing is simply functional! |
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| I was really there!! (I couldn't believe it!) - What views!! |
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| Scales of the "Dragon" and incredible ceramic tilework |
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| Functional but also beautiuful! The rest speak for themselves. |
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