Casa Batlló

Why is it famous?

Architect Antoni Gaudí completely transformed an ordinary house into a fairy-tale building covered in glittering, colorful tiles.

Its curved roof looks just like the arched back of a sleeping dragon.

The dragon legend

Many people think the tall cross-shaped tower on top represents the lance of Saint George, plunged into the dragon's back.

The round, colorful tiles on the roof look like dragon scales that shimmer in the sunlight.

Amazing facts

Locals nicknamed it "Casa dels ossos" — the House of Bones — because its balconies look like skulls and its columns look like bones.

Gaudí believed nature has no straight lines, so almost every wall, window, and railing in the house curves.

Quick facts

• Locals nicknamed it "Casa dels ossos" — the House of Bones — because its balconies look like skulls and its columns look like bones.
• Gaudí believed nature has no straight lines, so almost every wall, window, and railing in the house curves.
• When a decorative glass bulb cracked during delivery, Gaudí liked the broken look so much he used it anyway.
• The central light well is covered in tiles that get darker blue near the top, so sunlight spreads evenly to every floor.