The “sentry” walkway of La Pedrera

One of the most surprising and lesser-known features of La Pedrera is its “sentry” walkway—a path running along the top of the façade, visible only from the terrace.

This approximately 800-metre route connects Casa Milà’s façade to its attic, forming an architectural detail that blends functionality with aesthetics.

A stroll along Casa Milà’s façade

The sentry walkway of La Pedrera is a perimeter path that harmonises with Gaudí’s signature style, evident in the terrace and attic. Defined by curves and undulating lines, the path features sections of varying widths and slopes.

Strategically placed along the walkway are four small domes shaped like Prussian helmets, reinforcing the building’s stability. These domes are located at key points: two at the ends of the Provença and Passeig de Gràcia façades, and two more at the corner of these two streets above the main entrance.

The walkway earns its name from its resemblance to the ramparts of medieval fortifications—the elevated pathways where soldiers would patrol. Gaudí drew a parallel between the façade of La Pedrera and the walls of a medieval castle, symbolically separating the building from the street below.

On the inner wall of the walkway, which separates it from La Pedrera’s attic, there are two levels of windows. The lower level features larger windows, ensuring sufficient natural light reaches the attic interior. The upper level consists of smaller windows designed to facilitate ventilation, ensuring a constant renewal of air within the attic. Each window is protected by a unique stone visor, which not only allows indirect light to filter in but also shields against rain.