La Pedrera origins

Casa Mila was constructed from the ground up by Gaudi between 1906 and 1912. Right from the start it threw up lots of controversy and criticism by the time Gaudi handed over the keys. 

Problems for Casa Mila

Nicknamed by locals as ‘La Pedrera’ (the quarry) the building annoyed the local council (who demanded many changes), the neighbours (who thought it lowered the value of nearby houses) and the construction community (who just thought the whole thing was ugly and bonkers). Not even the owners were overly happy, when Señora Milà asked Gaudi where she could put her piano in a room with curved walls, he reportedly replied “buy a violin”.

Casa Mila not loved

We don’t know what Gaudi thought of his finished building, but it was pretty clear that Barcelona and the world in general didn’t hold it in much esteem because by the end of the 70’s it was a mess, but with the Catalan capital winning the right to host the ’92 Olympics, UNESCO declaring Casa Milà a World Heritage Site in 1984 and a general Gaudi revival in full swing, the building went through a massive restoration and is now pretty good shape for a 100+ year old house!

La Pedrera in the 21st Century

With Barcelona’s growing popularity with tourists from all over the world, Casa Mila has led the way in visit innovation. Apart from ‘just strolling around’ you can now have a ‘night’ experience, an ‘unseen’ experience and even enjoy a roof-top concert!