The name translates as "Block of Discord," a reference to the three contrasting modernista buildings that stand close together along Passeig de Gracia. On the southern corner is Domenech i Montaner's ornate Casa Lleo Morera. A few doors up, at No. 41, is the intriguing geometric Casa Amatller by Puig i Cadafalch. Temporary art exhibitions are sometimes held on the ground floor by the Fundacio Amatller. Next door, at No. 43, is Antoni Gaudi's wonderful fairy-tale Casa Batllo with its carnival-mask balconies—a building that would look more at home in Disneyland than it does on a busy city street. See it at night, when it sparkles under lights. (For an unusual glimpse of these buildings, turn left onto Arago and go into the Servicio Estacion hardware emporium. From the garden furniture room on the second floor, you can see the more private face of the Casa Batllo and Casa Amatller.) You can now see the interior of Casa Batllo using self-guided audio tours. A tour of the piano nobile includes the lobby, main drawing room, dining room, courtyard and interior balconies. You can also visit the rooftop with its fantastical chimneys, via the attic and main staircase. Casa Batllo is open daily 9 am-8 pm unless rooms are in use. Each tour costs 10 euros, or 16 euros for both. Passeig de Gracia, between Consell de Cent and Arago, Eixample, Barcelona. Phone 93-216-0306. http://www.casabatllo.es.
