Pg. de Gràcia 92
Metro: Pg. de Gràcia (L2, L3, L4)
Tel: 93 484 5995/ 93 484 5900
Hrs: 10:00-20:00. Admission: 8€, students/ estudiantes 4.50€

There are not many, if any, cities where you would go out of your way to visit an apartment block. But Barcelona is synonymous with Antoni Gaudí, who is the Pablo Picasso of architecture. La Pedrera, or Casa Milà, as it was originally called, was built between 1905 and 1910 and looks as if the architect was sitting at the bottom of the sea when he designed it: a wavy grey stone structure with balconies covered in seaweed-like wrought-iron tentacles. This is Gaudí's most celebrated work; everything you see and touch bears the unique stamp of Gaudí's talent. It's difficult to imagine how this extraordinary Modernistic architect dreamed up his ideas. In the arched attic you come across an upside-down string-and-bead design hanging from the ceiling, underneath which is a large mirror, and, hey presto, you can see what it looks like the right way up, and suddenly it´s a building shaped like an elaborate tower. Very clever!
The rooftop, like all of Gaudí's work, has a special place in the overall design. It's peopled with mysterious chimneys shaped like medieval knights, where you can sit at night and listen to live music during summer weekends (June, July and August).

Tip: Drop next door to the furniture shop, Vinçon, to get the only view of the back of the building.