Oh My Gaudí: La Pedrera, Barcelona
No trip to Barcelona would be complete without moseying around a bit of Gaudi architecture. This post, my first, is about my trip to Casa Mila, or 'La Pedrera', whilst I was in Barcelona at the beginning of May this year.
The original plan was to head to Gaudi's Park Guell, but when that idea went down the drain (there were no more tickets for that day) we went to the beautiful Catalan Modernist mansion designed by Architect Antoni Gaudi. The unusual and initially controversial building was built for the Mila family in the early 1900s.
The best part about this attraction is the roof. It has walkways that weave round the chimneys and offers great views of Barcelona (see below photo), as well as an interesting history about its design and Antoni Gaudi. Tickets are €22 online and €25 at the ticket office*. Audio headsets are included in the cost.
Fun fact: Apparently George Lucas was inspired by Gaudi's La Pedrera when writing Star Wars. I am not sure how true this is, but some of the chimneys do look remarkably like Stormtroopers...
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| Can you spot the Stormtroopers? |
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After wandering around the roof terrace you can go into the annex of the mansion and then into a typical Gaudi-era, bourgeois apartment. You really don't have to be interested in architecture to enjoy La Pedrera, or any of Gaudi's work, it is so different and beautiful, and to be honest, quite weird.
Tip 1: A tip for visiting La Pedrera, or any of Barcelona's top tourist attractions for that matter, is to book before your visit. These places are popular so it is best to get a time-slot or you risk getting turned away. We booked La Pedrera on the same day, but we were not so lucky with Park Guell (I definitely wasn't close to tears when this happened, ahem).
Tip 2: Another tip for this trip is that if you are able to do so, do not take the lift that takes you up to the roof. If you are up to it, opt for the stairs. It is a bit of a trek but you avoid the very long queue.
Tip 2: Another tip for this trip is that if you are able to do so, do not take the lift that takes you up to the roof. If you are up to it, opt for the stairs. It is a bit of a trek but you avoid the very long queue.
Tip 3: If you have not had your fill of roof terraces, just walk 15 minutes from La Pedrera to the Hotel Pullitzer and grab a glass of cava on their lovely roof-top bar.
* prices are from 2019, see: https://www.lapedrera.com/en/visits