“Wow!“, “Really?!”, “How on Earth does one think of these designs?”. These were just among the few thoughts that came to mind when we saw the La Pedrera on our recent visit to Barcelona.
We first introduced you to Antoni Gaudi‘s masterpieces through Sagrada Familia. Another one of his surreal masterpieces is the La Pedrera (also known as Casa Mila).
This building is hard to miss. As you’re walking down the busy street of Passeig de Gracia (in Eixample), if the long line of people around the corner does not attract your attention, the mystical looking building should!
A building that is hard to miss on Passeig de Gracia. We opted to stay in Eixample so Gaudi’s masterpieces are within walking distance or a short subway ride away.
Due to the number of people surrounding the building, your best bet to get a good photo of the entire building without people is to visit the museum inside the building that houses miniature models of the building.
Your best bet to get a shot of the entire building without the distraction of people is to visit the museum that houses the models of the building.
The rooftop is the highlight of our visit.
Gaudi’s nature inspired designs are apparent in every inch of the building! From the outside, you’ll notice the leaf like wrought iron designs decorating the balconies, windows and doors, almost like vines hugging the building.
There are two ways to get to the rooftop – elevator and stairs. Most visitors were shown the way to the elevator. For some reason, the guide pointed Jeremy and I to the stairs! The stairs are winding and curvy, just like the rest of Gaudi’s nature inspired designs. As much as we like exercise, we’d recommend taking the elevator.
Once at the top, even if you did climb the stairs all the way up, you’ll forget it all because you’ll be awe inspired by surreal chimneys that’s placed around the rooftop!
We were at Le Pedrera in the afternoon, so the sun was pretty harsh. If we were to visit again we’d go early in the morning or later in the day, preferably before sunset. Don’t forget to check their opening hours and days. Bring a zoom lens (or use the zoom feature on your camera) to focus on the structures and avoid people in your photos.
Use your zoom lens to avoid people in your pictures. Out of this world looking chimneys on the rooftop!
We’ve never seen such a design anywhere else in the world.
Another out of this world looking structure on the rooftop.
La Pedrera used to be an apartment building. However, potential tenants were reluctant to rent the rooms because many were concerned that their furniture will not fit the irregularly shaped walls. No longer renting out apartments (there is an apartment showroom however inside the building), this building is now one of the most important museums in Barcelona. It also houses Renaissance drawings and a collection of modern art paintings.
[two]
Shirl admiring the details of the structures.
We were so amazed at the nature inspired designs.
Wonder what material was used here and why there are holes like that in the material?
Who would’ve thought of such a design?
Another shot of the rooftop using the miniature model in the museum.
Just one of many of Gaudi’s inspirations.
- Another must visit while in Barcelona is La Pedrera (aka Casa Mila).
- We stayed in the region of Eixample just so most of Gaudi’s masterpieces were within walking distance or a short subway ride away.
- Expect to spend at least 2 hours there. We spent about 3 hours. Most of our time were spent on the rooftop (taking pictures of these unique structures), followed by time in the museum and last but not least the model apartment inside the building.
- Bring your zoom lens with you. Taking pictures of the structures without the distraction of people in your photos, wil require some zooming in.
- Another way to take pictures of the building and structures without the distraction of other tourists is to visit the museum that houses the miniature models.
- Be sure to check their opening hours and days before you visit.
Have you been to La Pedrera before? What did you think?
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52 Comments
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Just an amazing piece of engineering, loved it. I might never be there in person but your photos are anyways the next best thing in itself!!! Thanks for sharing this with us.
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Glad you like it! You should definitely find time to visit. It’s an amazing experience!
Jeremy & Shirlene recently posted..{Spain} Best Peruvian Style Ceviche at Ra, Barcelona
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I took a tour of this when I was in Barcelona. Honestly, I didn’t know it was called La Pedrera as I only knew it as Casa Mila. I really liked the architecture and design. I don’t normally like more of the modern architecture but I do like Gaudi. The views of the city from the top of Casa Mila are awesome as well!
Jeremy Branham recently posted..In a land of giants, we put on our kilts one leg at a time
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We are the opposite! We only knew it as the La Pedrera and only later to find out people know it as Casa Mila too!
Jeremy & Shirlene recently posted..{Tips} Travel Inspiration Through Wild Junket Magazine
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Incredible photos! I love La Pedrera. I wrote about Gaudi a couple weeks ago on my blog too. Such an inspirational place. 🙂
Michael Figueiredo recently posted..Barcelona, Modernism and Antoni Gaudí-
Awesome! Just checked out your blog post. Love the photos you took! It’s definitely a must visit for everyone who visit Barcelona, huh!
Jeremy & Shirlene recently posted..{Spain} Cuevas El Abanico, a Cave Hotel in Granada
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{Spain} La Pedrera, Another Must Visit While in Barcelona http://t.co/F9MDE7H0 via @idelishtravel – great photos, helpful post
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I am excited to visit Barcelona…Its another place to visit..Thank you for sharing some photo..
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La Padrera, a must visit in Spain,
http://t.co/AfdCaHqO
Via @idelishTravel -
The surface looks so smooth! And the color is also so soothing. Just an amazing piece of engineering, loved it. I might never be there in person but your photos are anyways the next best thing in itself!!!
Hope you are having a great week:)
Arti recently posted..Flavors of Mathura: Lal Peda, Kachori, Samosa, etc (Where to Eat in Mathura)-
Glad you like the photo captures! Yes, it was such a surreal experience to see these sculptures in person. I hope you get to see it for yourself one day!
Jeremy & Shirlene recently posted..{USA} Creative Omakase at Sushi of Gari in New York
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{Spain} La Pedrera, Another Must Visit While in Barcelona http://t.co/vaJsVpwr via @idelishTravel
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I was similarly impressed with La Pedrera as you were, and visiting La Sagrada Familia and Parc Guell was just as amazing. Atonin Gaudi was a great architect and way ahead of his time.
RaysAdventures recently posted..Yosemite Valley in October-
I wholeheartedly agree! He’s the Einstein of architecture in my opinion. We can’t wait to go back and visit Sagrada when it is completed!
Jeremy & Shirlene recently posted..{Spain} Best Peruvian Style Ceviche at Ra, Barcelona
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{Spain} La Pedrera, Another Must Visit While in Barcelona http://t.co/tzg5scKH via @idelishTravel
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{Spain} La Pedrera, Another Must Visit While in Barcelona http://t.co/dKYVrkzs via @idelishTravel
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{Spain} La Pedrera, Another Must Visit While in Barcelona http://t.co/8upYivUR
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{Spain} La Pedrera, Another Must Visit While in Barcelona http://t.co/mTxC5Gwk via @idelishTravel
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{Spain} La Pedrera, Another Must Visit While in Barcelona http://t.co/mDuZEYMi via @idelishTravel
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{Spain} La Pedrera, Another Must Visit While in Barcelona http://t.co/7t5Gtm1N via @idelishTravel
