Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
La Pedrera
Completed in 1910, this fantastic, undulating apartment block, with its
out-of-this-world roof and delicate wrought ironwork, is one of the most
emblematic of all Gaudí's works. La Pedrera (the Stone Quarry), also known as
Casa Milà, was Gaudí's last great civic work before he dedicated the rest of his
life to the Sagrada Família (see pp8-10). Restored to its former glory in 1996
after years of decay, La Pedrera now contains a museum dedicated to the
architect, the exhibition centre of the Caixa de Catalunya, a furnished museum
apartment, as well as private residences. What makes La Pedrera so magical
is that every last detail, from door knobs to light
fittings, bears the hallmark of Gaudí's visionary genius.
Top 10 Features
1 Façade & Balconies
2 Roof
3 Espai Gaudí
4 El Pis de La Pedrera
5 Interior Courtyard: C/Provença
6 Gates
7 Temporary Exhibition Room
8 Interior Courtyard:
Pg de Gràcia
9 Auditorium
0 La Pedrera Shop
Façade, La Pedrera
During the summer
months, a terrace bar
on the roof (9pm-
midnight Fri & Sat)
allows visitors to
enjoy a drink and live
music amid the
spectacular surround-
ings. Reservations
essential
(see p47).
For more information
on temporary
exhibitions held
here, check the
website of the Caixa
de Catalunya
(http://obrasocial.
caixacatalunya.es)
@
Roof
The strikingly surreal
rooftop sculpture park
(above)
has chimneys
resembling medieval
warriors and huge
ventilator ducts twisted
into bizarre organic forms
(below);
not to mention
good views
over the
Eixample.
• Pg de Gracia 92
• Map E2
• 90 240 09 73
• Metro: Diagonal
• Open: 9am-8pm daily
(Nov-Feb: 9am-6:30pm;
mid-Jun-late Jul:
9am-midnight Fri & Sat
with reservation - 902
400 973)
• Adm: €9.50; con €5.50
(Free admission to the
temporary exhibition
space.)
!
Façade & Balconies
Defying the laws of grav-
ity, La Pedrera's irreverent
curved walls are held in place
by undulating horizontal
beams attached to invisible
girders. Intricate wrought-iron
balconies
(above)
are a perfect
example of the artisan skill so
integral to
Modernisme
.
£
Espai Gaudí
A series of drawings, photos,
maquettes and multimedia displays helps
visitors grasp Gaudí's architectural
wizardry. The museum is housed in the
breathtaking, vaulted attic with its 270
brick arches forming skeletal corridors.
20
For more on
Modernista
architecture
See pp32-3
