SPECIAL CORNERS

Viewed from the outside of the house this stands out on account of its unusual shape, which brings to mind a bat unfolding its wings.

A vast surface of light and colour. It is reminiscent of the swell of the Mediterranean Sea, Monet’s Water Lilies, and is even thought to represent the carnival.

This could be thought of as the lungs of the house, breathing light and air into the whole building. The walls are covered in ceramic tiles in 5 different shades of blue, evoking the Mediterranean Sea.

An amusing window from which it used to be possible to see the church of the Sagrada Familia. Some people interpret it as depicting the geography of the Montserrat mountain chain.

These span a space suffused with the colour white, and put the visitor in mind of the chest cavity of a huge animal – perhaps a whale, or maybe the dragon slain by Saint George.

Slender columns of Montjuïc sandstone suggestive of human bones.

There are nine balconies and four terraces arranged across the facade. Some have curving shapes which look like the top part of a skull, though some people think they represent carnival masks; others, for example the small balcony at the top of the building in the shape of a flower, draw their inspiration from the natural world.

You will find this in Mr Batlló’s office. Its originality lies in its unusual mushroom shape. It has a seat on either side, one for a young courting couple and the other for their chaperone.

Slender columns of Montjuïc sandstone suggestive of human bones.

A wide sweeping space overlooking Passeig de Gràcia. It is a masterpiece of woodwork and impressive stained-glass windows. The ceiling stands out, with its whirlpool feature.

Fantasy in its purest form. Twisting shapes are covered in coloured slates representing scales. Large ceramic spheres are lined up to give the impression of an animal's backbone. In the realms of imagination, this represents the legend of Sant Jordi (Saint George) and the dragon.

This is reminiscent of a subterranean cave, a fantastic world of curves which puts you in mind of Captain Nemo’s submarine, the Nautilus. It has skylights in organic shapes and an imposing staircase which represents the spine of some huge beast.