On the Passeig de Gràcia in Barcelona, Spain, lies the world-famous "Block of Discord," which is filled with bizarre and unique modernist buildings, each with its own distinct style. Due to these iconic landmarks, this neighborhood has become a famous tourist attraction in Barcelona, drawing numerous tourists and immigrants to Spain every year, with Casa Milà being a must-visit destination for tourists. Casa Milà is one of the masterpieces of the architect Antoni Gaudí. In 1984, it was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site for its outstanding artistic and historical value.
This building was constructed between 1906 and 1910, when the wealthy Mr. Milà commissioned Gaudí to design an apartment building for him and his wife. Casa Milà covers an area of 1,323 square meters and consists of 6 residential floors, 1 attic floor, and 1 underground parking garage. In 1986, Casa Milà was purchased by the bank La Caixa de Catalunya; apart from the bank's office area, other public areas are open for tourists to visit.
Casa Milà is also jokingly referred to as "The Quarry." Its irregular walls and the chimneys on the roof, which resemble soldiers wearing helmets, are its most famous hallmarks. The building's undulating exterior is composed of white stone walls, balconies made of twisted iron bars and plates, and large windows, creating a dynamic appearance that sparks infinite imagination.
Casa Milà feels "out of place" compared to the surrounding Spanish architecture, giving it a "maverick" quality. However, this style has been widely recognized and has become a famous attraction in Spain. As Casa Milà receives a large number of visitors every day, it is recommended to book tickets online and select an entry time, allowing you to enter at the scheduled time without waiting in line at the entrance.
Casa Milà is an apartment building. Upon entering the main gate, you reach the central courtyard of the apartment, which is open at the top, allowing you to see the blue sky above. One cannot help but marvel at the clear air in Spain.
Inside Casa Milà, every unit enjoys dual-aspect lighting, with light entering from both the central courtyard and the street outside. Unlike our tower blocks where the middle rooms are often dim, the lighting here is excellent due to the large size of the courtyard.
The rooftop terrace design resembles the serpentine benches found in Park Güell, another of Gaudí's works, and features 30 peculiar chimneys, 2 ventilation shafts, and 6 stairwells. The tower-shaped stairwells are the largest, with water tanks hidden inside the spiral staircases.