Casa Batlló

Casa Batlló is one of the achievements of the architect Antoni Gaudí in Barcelona. Its achievement (more precisely the transformation of an existing building) lasted from 1904 to1906. The current Casa Batllo (Maison Batlló in Catalan) is the result of the total reform of an old conventional house built in the year 1877.

Gaudi was commissioned to complete renewal of the owner's building, Josep Batlló I Casanovas, a textile industrial. On this basis, Gaudí built this amazing house, one of the most fantastic and special in Barcelona. The project designed by Antoni Gaudí i Cornet made in 1904, was disputed by the municipal authorities, due to a series of design features of Gaudí, which far exceeded the limits of bylaws.

Despite the mentioned problems, the building was selected as one of the best works of 1906 by Barcelona City Council. The changes made by Gaudí in building were completely and radically altered. In fact, the Gaudí's building is pratically a new one.

Some details of the Casa Batlló:

The facade covered with splendid mosaics of shapes and colors, is perhaps the most imaginative and attractive of the city.

The balconies look like skulls with fragments of eyes and nose. The columns of the gallery's first floor look like humans bones. The shape of the roof is the most characteristic Gaudí's for urban buildings, culminated by an undulating reminiscent form which reminds of a dragon's arched back; it is covered with ceramic tiles that look like scales.

Useful information:

Address: Passeig de Gracia, 43 Barcelona

Metro: L2, L3, L4 Passeig de Gracia

Bus: 22, 24, 28, 7.16, 17

Opening hours: Visits: Monday to Sunday from 9 to 20 h. (The schedule of visits can be modified according to room availability).

Price: Visits included an audio guide

• Individual ticket: 16,50 €

Save 20% or € 13.20 for anyone who:

• A student card,
• Barcelona Card Bus turístic there for more info click here
• Ruta del Modernismo for more info click here
• Barcelona Walking Tours for more info click here

Handicapped Accessibility: The ground floor which level is the same that the street. You can visit the 1st. floor, an elevator provides access for wheelchairs and people with other difficulties. The attic is also accessible by lift, but the upper terrace and its other dependencies are not.

For visiting Barcelona in the best conditions look at our apartments! To see them click here!

The Pope Benedict XVI in Barcelona in November 7th

As you probably already know, Pope Benedict XVI will be paying an official visit to Barcelona on the 7th of November where he will be celebrating mass in the Sagrada Familia Cathedral. The Pope will be blessing the Cathedral and the altar. Once the Sagrada Familia, the Cathedral that Antoni Gaudí designed, has been blessed, it will be designated a basilica for its monumental and artistic features by the Pope himself.

This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for faithful churchgoers to take to the streets and show their devotion via the itinerary that will span the different streets of Barcelona.

His first visit in Spain will be in Santiago de Compostela, after which he will be travelling to Barcelona where he will arrive on the 6th of November. During his visit to the city, he will be staying at the archbishopric and will be escorted to the Sagrada Familia by an entourage where the consecration of the Cathedral will be taking place. The Pope will make the journey to the Sagrada Familia in the Popemobile and will be making a detour beforehand round the Cathedral so he can greet his faithful followers already gathered there.

Following the consecration of the Cathedral, Benedict XVI will be celebrating the Eucharist before the Kings of Spain and once all this has been done, the Ángelus will be recited from the Sagrada Familia`s façade of the birth of Christ.

The Sagrada Familia has a 9,000 person capacity, but for security reasons only 7,500 people will be allowed to enter and celebrate mass inside the Cathedral. However, those faithful followers that have congregated outside the Sagrada Familia can follow the homily thanks to the gigantic screens and chairs that will be placed in the streets and the plazas adjacent.



In the afternoon, the Pope will be visiting the Nen Déu en Guinardó Institute, where religious Franciscans will be looking after down-syndrome children and other disabled children. Meanwhile the Pope will be chatting with families and carers, and will receive a present from the children.

For security reasons, the Sagrada Familia`s doors will be closed a few days prior to the Pope’s visit.

I am sure you will not miss these event!! Then we propose you to rent an apartment for you and your family which is really much cheaper than an hotel. Barcelona is full of apartments for rent, so don't hesitate!!! Come to our beautiful city to visit the Pope visit!!!

Barcelona Architecture

Barcelona is a city with mind-blowing architecture. When you first encounter Antoni Gaudí's La Sagrada Familia or his rooftop sculptures at La Pedrera, you'll be floored by the originality and hallucinogenic quality of his works. There's much in Barcelona unlike anything you've ever seen.

Barcelona architecture is, in reality, an attraction in itself. Just stroll around the city, especially through the Gothic Quarter and the Eixample, and you'll find an endless amount of fascinating buildings and unexpected treasures.

From Roman times to the Gothic period to the Catalan Art Nouveau, "modernisme," Barcelona's architecture naturally transmits the city's rich history. It speaks for eras of varying prosperity and decline, for fervent Catalan nationalism or subjugation to the central government, for Expos, Olympic Games, Cultural Forums and more.

The two most important styles of Barcelona architecture are Catalan Gothic, a medieval style, and Modernisme, a turn of the 20th century movement protagonized by Antoni Gaudi.
Apart from the Middle Ages and Barcelona's turn of the 20th century "Renaixença" (Catalan Renaissance) it's well worth mentioning the city's ancient remains.

You can see significant sections of the 4th century Roman walls at the Museu d'Història de la Ciutat and inside the Cathedral's Casa de L'Ardiaca, the Archdeacon's House.

Gracia

Gracia was originally its own village set apart from the rest of the city. However, when the Eixample was built in the late 19th century, it served to connect old Barcelona and Gracia. Thus Gracia ceased to be a town and become a neighborhood in the larger metropolis that we now know and love as Barcelona.

Gracia is immediately recognizable for its narrow streets, a stark contrast to the wide, modern boulevards of L’Eixample. It's known as a hip area with an active and politically-conscious community. Here you'll find a number of lively plazas, bars and restaurants, but it's a little more subdued other cultural hubs like the Born or El Raval, with a slightly more mature crowd.

Barcelona's Gracia neighborhood is worth exploring for its unique personality and Park Güell, Antoni Gaudí's awesome modernista playground.

Gràcia is not a touristy section of Barcelona. Nevertheless, it's certainly worth the visit if you enjoy strolling around quaint strees and want to escape the "big city" feel for a small town, alternative vibe.

The Plaça del Sol, Plaça de Rius i Taulet and Plaça de la Virreina are vibrant centers of activity and good places to look for outdoor food and drink.

Just west of Plaça del Sol you'll find the Mercat de la Libertat, a beautiful modernista market designed by Antoni Gaudí's assistant.

Most visitors only head up towards Gràcia to see Parc Güell, which is well worth the visit. Designed by Antoni Gaudí as a wealthy living community, the project failed and was converted into a public park. It's located at about a 10-15 minute walk north from the center of Gràcia.

Gracia has a formed an important part of Barcelona Culture since officially joining the city bounds in the 19th century. A republican/ liberal stalwart during Spain's 1st and 2nd Republics and Civil War (1936-1939), Gràcia went bohemian again in the 1960's and 70's. It's still common to see anarchist flags hanging from apartment buildings and other signs of political radicalism on the streets and in plazas, restaurants and bars. While undoubtedly more gentrified and subdued than during its rebellious past, Gràcia remains a one-of-a-kind, funky neighborhood. Its mixed population of students, intellectuals, artists and families join together to organize the Festa Major de Gracia , the best and most creative community festival of the year.

Do you plan to attend this awesome event with your friends? Find an accommodation next to the festival.

Eixample

Eixample means “extension” or “enlargement” in Catalan. During the city’s 19th century industrial boom, architects planned wide diagonal boulevards reaching out from old Barcelona to form a new bourgeois stomping ground.

The Eixample remains mostly upper-middle class, characterized by fancy shops and tranquil street scenes, yet its uniquely modernista character makes it a fascinating place to get to know. Nearly every architectural attraction from the turn of the 20th century is located in the Eixample.

A good way to get to know the Eixample is to start at Plaça de Catalunya and work your way up Passeig de Gracia. An important shopping avenue, Passeig de Gràcia has everything from restaurants to high fashion boutiques. It also gives the visitor a nice general feel of the Eixample's personality as a neighborhood.

The Eixample holds a ton of great places to experience Barcelona culture. The National Symphony of Catalonia is based out of L'Auditori, a modern concert hall with excellent acousitcs. Alternatively, the Fundació Caixa always has an interesting activity or event planned. Cinema fans will find 4 art house movie theaters and music lovers can head to a number of great locales, such as La Boite or Luz de Gas.

Even though the Eixample is a more upscale neighborhood and not known for being particularly "hip," it's certainly got a stellar cultural offering. Rent an apartment in this area.

Walking tour - The Ramblas

On foot. Approximate duration: 3 hours.



The Rambla, which runs from the Plaça Catalunya to the Port; has been the heart of the city down through the centuries and today continues to be the most typical, popular and cosmopolitan of the city's streets. Our itinerary begins at the top of the Rambla where it opens into the Plaça Catalunya.



We list below all the points of interest that you find while wlaking down the Ramblas from Plaça Catalunya:


1- "Font de Canaletes"
Iron fountain dating from the 19th Century. One of the city´s landmarks.

2- Iglesia de Belén

At the junction with Carme street. Ancien Jesuit church. Catalan Gothic style interior.

3- Palau Moja

Located Opposite the Betlem church. Important house at the beginning of the 18th Century.

4- Palau de la Virreina
In Rambla nº 99, One of the most sumptuous buildings of the Rambla. There is an information office on the ground floor.

5- The Sant Josep or "Boquería" Market
Wrought iron building which houses one of the most popular and traditional of the city's food market

6- "Pla de la Boquería"
This is that part which lies between Hospital street and Boquería street. There is a mosaic by Joan Miró on the pavement.

7- Palau Güell
Carrer Nou de la Rambla, 3. The work of Antoni Gaudí. Built as the Barcelona residence of the Count Güell. The building houses the Museu de les Arts del Espectacle.

8- Plaça Reial
Square formed by unifrom buildings. Iron fountain in center. lamps-posts are the work of Gaudí.

9- Wax Museum
The building built in 1867 is part of the National Architectural in the exhibition of its figures, protagonists of the history and fantasy of mankind, justifies wordlwide acknowledgment.

10- "Reials Drassanes"
The most important and most complete medieval dockyards in existence are to be found at the end of the Rambla. The Maritim Museum is housed inside.



You can rent an apartment on the Ramblas from walking distance of all these points of interest.

Park Güell

Park Güell is a 17, 18 ha wide garden complex with architectural elements situated on the hill of el Carmel in the Gràcia district of Barcelona, Catalonia. It was designed by the Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí and built in the years 1900 to 1914. It is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site "Works of Antoni Gaudí".





The park was originally part of a commercially unsuccessful housing site, the idea of Count Eusibi de Güell, whom the park was named after. It was inspired by the English garden city movement; hence the original English name Park. The site was a rocky hill with little vegetation and few trees, called Muntanya Pelada (Bare Mountain). It already included a large country house called Larrard House or Muntaner de Dalt House, and was next to a neighborhood of upper class houses called La Salud. The intention was to exploit the fresh air (well away from smoky factories) and beautiful views from the site, with sixty triangular lots being provided for luxury houses. Count Eusebi Güell added to the prestige of the development by moving in 1906 to live in Larrard House.


In the event only two houses were built, neither designed by Gaudi. One was intended to be a show house, but on being completed in 1904 was put up for sale, and as no buyers came forward. Gaudi, at Güell's suggestion, bought it with his savings and moved in with his family and his father in 1906.




The Park Güell is a good place to visit during your trip to Barcelona, and you will be able to enjoy a wonderful view of the all city (from the mountain to the Mediterranean sea).


For more information to do organice your vacation in Barcelona, click here.

Sagrada Familia

The Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Familia or simply Sagrada Familia, Antoni Gaudí's unfinished masterpiece, is one of Barcelona's most popular tourist attractions. Construction on this church will continue at least until 2041, but it has already become Barcelona's most important landmark.

The Nativity façade and the Crypt of the Sagrada Família, are recently declared "World heritage" by the UNESCO. The church of the Sagrada Família is in process of construction and consequently the interior is open and submitted, the same as the outside, to the weather inclemencies. In spite of it, in general the building is in good conditions.

Even though the Sagrada Familia is far from finished, the remarkable church is well worth a visit. You can visit the crypt were Gaudí is buried. A museum tells the story of this great architect and the history of the church.You can also visit the towers. A lift and a long walk will lead you to the top of a tower from where you have a magnificent view over Barcelona. The climb is not recommended for those with fear of heights or for people with claustrophobia!

Want to rent an apartment to enjoy Gaudí's work?

La Pedrera - Casa Milà

Casa Milà, better known as La Pedrera (Catalan for 'The Quarry'), is a building designed by the Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí and built in the years 1905–1907. It is located at 92, Passeig de Gràcia ('passeig' is Catalan for promenade or avenue) in the Eixample district of Barcelona, Catalonia. It was built for Roger Segimon de Milà. It is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site "Works of Antoni Gaudí".





If you are travelling to Barcelona between May and August, we strongly recommend to visit La Pedrera during the evening. In the summer season the roof of La Pedrera can be visited and once you get to the top you get welcomed with a glass of "cava" (Catalan champagne). Its a romantic experience in Barcelona and you will enjoy stuning views of Barcelona at night.






To complete a romantic holiday you can rent a penthouse apartment very close to La Pedrera.






If you are interested in booking this, or any other apartment in Barcelona, just visit:
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