The rooftop of Casa Milà

There’s no terrace like it in the city – but it’s not finished

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The rooftop of La Pedrera is a truly unique construction, offering a walk that feels like stepping into an open-air museum adorned with Gaudí’s sculptural creations.

On the roof of Casa Milà, there is a blend of order, aesthetic beauty and great functionality in every element: stairwell enclosures leading from the attic to the rooftop, ventilation towers and chimneys.

The design of La Pedrera’s rooftop: organic and functional

To soften the volumes of the stairwell enclosures, Gaudí employed curved forms inspired by ruled geometry. Their concave, convex and conical shapes reduce the visual mass of the structure.

Of the six stairwell enclosures, four are covered with trencadís mosaics crafted from recycled stone, marble or ceramic in a monochromatic palette. The remaining two are finished with stucco made of lime mortar and plaster. The ventilation towers help bring fresh air into the attic.

The chimneys on La Pedrera’s rooftop, which serve as smoke outlets, are arranged in groups of three or four. Gaudí sculpted these chimneys into spiral shapes, twisting them to improve the flow of smoke. Some are adorned with fragments of cava bottles, offering a unique interpretation of the trencadís mosaic technique.

Due to financial disagreements with the Milà family, Gaudí was unable to complete certain aspects of Casa Milà. As a result, parts of the rooftop’s decorative and protective elements were left unfinished.

Most chimneys and two stairwell exits were meant to be covered with trencadís mosaic made from ceramic, stone, bottles or other materials. This technique was both aesthetically pleasing and served as a waterproofing layer.

For the perimeter railing, Gaudí originally designed a model that mirrored the rooftop’s sinuous curves. However, in 1911, as evidenced by photographs of workers on the rooftop, the property owners opted for a different railing, which is still in place today.

Despite these changes, the rooftop of La Pedrera remains one of the most exceptional examples of Gaudí’s architectural creativity. Its sculptural and architectural elements continue to spark imagination, surpassing their functional and aesthetic purposes.