Svea De Decker
Leonie Marie AsamAs an international student in Barcelona, you are at the start of an amazing journey of discovery. The city is bursting with culture, history, and breathtaking architecture. Without a doubt, one name you are guaranteed to encounter is Antoni Gaudí and his houses. To truly immerse yourself in his visionary work, you should explore the famous Gaudí houses—Casa Batlló, Casa Milà, and Casa Vicens. These masterpieces are among the city’s most impressive structures. But what exactly makes these buildings so special? And why are they absolute must-sees? Keep reading to find out!
Casa Vicens
Casa Vicens is a hidden gem of Antoni Gaudí’s architectural masterpieces, often overshadowed by his later works. Gaudi, a Catalan architect of Modernisme is known for his organic, wavy forms and the use of rough stones, colorful ceramic tiles, and nature-inspired motifs. He saw his buildings as complete works of art, designing even the smallest details himself, and preferred inclined pillars over Gothic flying buttresses.
Located in the beautiful neighborhood of Gràcia, Casa Vicens was Gaudí’s first major commission and is considered the starting point of his famous architectural style.
From summer retreat to Gaudí’s first masterpiece
In 1878, wealthy stockbroker Manuel Vicens i Montaner commissioned the young Antoni Gaudí to design his summer house. At the time, Gaudí was still developing his unique architectural vision. Notably, he blended Eastern, Moorish, and natural influences into the project, resulting in a strikingly different structure compared to the conventional buildings of Barcelona. In fact, Casa Vicens set the foundation for the distinctive style seen in later Gaudí houses like Casa Batlló and Casa Milà.
Originally a private residence, Casa Vicens remained a family home for more than a century. However, in 2014, it was acquired by a private company and carefully restored. As a result, Casa Vicens finally opened its doors to the public in 2017, offering visitors a unique opportunity to explore Gaudí’s earliest architectural experiment and witness the origins of his groundbreaking style.
One of the Gaudí houses with mosaic and creativity
Casa Vicens especially stands out for its vibrant and tiled façade, featuring geometric patterns inspired by Moorish and oriental designs. The house is adorned with lush floral motifs, influenced by nature — a recurring theme in Gaudí’s work. Inside, every detail, from the ceilings to the walls, reflects his fascination with organic forms, blending ceramic tiles, painted wood, and ironwork.
One of the house’s most special features is its rooftop terrace, offering a unique perspective on Gaudí’s playful use of color and form. This space foreshadows many of the techniques he later perfected in buildings like Park Güell and Casa Batlló.
Today, it serves as a cultural center and museum, hosting exhibitions and events that celebrate Gaudí’s legacy.
Visiting Casa Vicens is a place where every tile, curve, and detail tells the story of a young architect who would go on to change the face of Barcelona forever.
Casa Battló
Casa Batlló is one of the most iconic masterpieces by Antoni Gaudí, the most famous Catalan architect. Notably, it is located on Barcelona’s famous Passeig de Gràcia, where Gaudí managed to transform an existing building into an architectural fairytale. Moreover, its design is an ode to nature, with undulating lines, colorful mosaics, and balconies reminiscent of skulls and bones. The scaly roof tiles suggest the back of a dragon. Hence, the house was nicknamed the ‘house of the dragon.’
From classic building to revolutionary design
To begin with, the original building was designed in 1877 by Emilio Sala Cortés, one of Gaudí’s professors. At that time, Passeig de Gràcia was the place where Barcelona’s elite had their impressive homes built. However, the true transformation only took place when businessman Josep Batlló bought the property in 1903 and subsequently commissioned Gaudí to renovate it.
As time went on, the house changed ownership. Today, it is no longer owned by the Batlló family. In fact, since 1990, it has been owned by the Bernat family, who opened it to the public in 1995. Each year, Casa Batlló attracts more than a million visitors, who can discover the magic of Gaudí’s design in detail with audio tours and interactive displays. Moreover, every year around the first of February, a wonderful light show appears on the building, which brings the architecture to life.
Whether you are an architecture student or simply interested in art and design, Casa Batlló, just like the other Gaudí houses is an experience not to be missed during your stay in Barcelona.
Casa Milà
Casa Milà, also known as La Pedrera, is just eight minutes from Casa Batlló and is another one of the iconic Gaudí houses.
A Gaudí house with a history
In 1905, Pere Milà and his wife Roser Segimon bought the property as a private residence and asked Gaudí to design their home. As a result, he created a design without straight corners, with flowing, organic shapes inspired by nature. The façade of Casa Milà, resembling a rugged rock formation, was therefore nicknamed ‘La Pedrera’, meaning ‘the stone groove’.
Later, in 1929, the ground floor was converted for commercial purposes, while the upper floors served as flats. However, over the years, the building fell into neglect until it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984 and restorations began. I Eventually, in 1996, Casa Milà opened its doors to the public.
Notably, Casa Milà’s roof terrace is special, with sculptural chimneys and ventilation ducts that look like mysterious figures. From the roof, you have a great view of the city of Barcelona.
Catalunya La Pedrera Foundation
Since 2013, Casa Milà has been the headquarters of the Fundació Catalunya-La Pedrera, which aims to preserve the building and organise cultural and educational activities that further spread the legacy of Gaudí and modernism. In addition, the foundation organises exhibitions, lectures, workshops, and other events around art, architecture, and Gaudí’s history.
Casa Milà offers a unique perspective on Gaudí’s work. While other Gaudí houses like Casa Batlló are known for its imaginative, colourful look, Casa Milà shows the originality and practicality of Gaudí’s architecture, respecting the complexity and use of materials such as iron and stone. It is a different but equally impressive aspect of his masterful work.
World-class cultural treasures: Gaudí Houses
Recognized as a landmark of early Modernisme all three Gaudí Houses (Casa Vicens, as well as Casa Batlló and Casa Milà) were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Get to know one of the Gaudí houses a bit more
Antoni Gaudí’s very first house, Casa Vicens, is a hidden gem in Barcelona. This unique building was the beginning of Gaudí’s revolutionary architectural style and already contains many elements that later appear in his more famous works.
But what makes this house so special compared to the other Gaudí houses? Which details attract the most attention today? And how do modern technologies allow visitors to experience Casa Vicens in a new way?
To answer these questions, we spoke with Pilar Delgado, the communication manager of Casa Vicens. In this interview, she shares unique insights about the architecture, recent renovations and the best ways to explore the house. Also, as an international student, you’ll get useful tips if you’re visiting Casa Vicens for the first time. Watch and discover the story behind Gaudí’s first masterpiece!
