Story and photos by Dr. Michael Lim The Travelling Gourmet TM

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The intrepid and irascible Travelling Gourmet TM, Dr. Michael Lim visits one of genius Antonio Gaudi’s celebrated… 

MASTERPIECES in beautiful Barcelona. Futuristic and quite mind boggling to say the least! My flabber was absolutely gasted by the colours and the myriad shapes and designs which are rather unworldly and anything but mundane! Be prepared for long queues and be prepared to stay at least 2 hours when you visit this architectural marvel. During my visit which was actually my second time, I was awestruck by the impressive Noble Floor. This was the original residence of the Batlló family. The family commissioned Gaudi to build this unique futuristic mansion. The Attic was used as storage rooms with wash tubs. I adore the Roof Terrace right at the top with quaint chimneys that look like bunches of mushrooms! Your reward after climbing up so many steps is an ueber-spectacular view of the city of Barcelona! Look out too for the backbone of the dragon which is the one slain by the legendary Saint George, known here as Saint Jordi. I found the rather narrow Stairwell which was once the communal stairwell, very fun to climb. At the visit’s end, admire the perfectly spiffing Entrance Hall and very imposing Main Staircase. With a hallway that evokes the undersea grottos of Captain Nemo and a series of skylights that look like turtle shells, sinuously vaulted walls and a spectacular staircase. When you are inside Casa Batlló, you feel  like you are in a subterranean world beneath the deep blue sea. I was taken with the series of cute skylights that look like turtle shells. Sinuously curved walls abound here instead of run of the mill plain flat walls. The swirling spectacular staircase impressed me with its intricately carved hardwood bannister…they look like a serpent’s tail. Colours here are also psychedelic and right out of an Austin Powers’ movie. One place you must not miss is the Modernist Courtyard which is al fresco and great for taking photos!

From the Batlló family’s dining room that is inside the Noble Floor…you can stroll out to this big exclusive rear patio, all 230 square meters of it.. The ultra colourful paving, laid out around the main curved ornamental element of a large planter is a riot of glittering colours. The spectrum of greens, blues and reds is simply fabulous! Genius Gaudi was truly a man ahead of his time! As a bonus it was only a short stroll from my hotel, the magnificent Mandarin Oriental Barcelona. Dr. Michael Lim The Travelling Gourmet TM is a celebrated Travel, Food and Wine Writer/Editor.

Casa Battlo,

Gaudi Barcelona

Entrance fee: 11 Euros