The theme of day two in Barcelona was Catalan modernism. The architecture style made famous by the likes of Antoni Gaudí i Cornet and his Sagrada Família is a trademark of Barcelona and Catalonia in Spain. But Oriol first took me to the Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, nowadays known as Sant Pau Recinte Modernista.
The former hospital in the El Guinardó neighbourhood is a complex built between 1901 and 1930, designed by architect Lluís Domènech i Montaner. Together with Palau de la Música Catalana, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
It was a fully functioning hospital until June 2009, when the new hospital opened next to it, before undergoing restoration for use as a museum and cultural center, which opened in 2014.
Visit
Oriol was so kind showing me around the city he grew up in. But he never visited the Hospital, which was new to him. The imposing complex of 26 buildings is well worth a two to three hour visit. The audioguide is more or less intuitive to use (I always struggle) and the English narration is pleasant.
Also, it’s somehow forgotten by the crowds so you can really enjoy the site.
Background information fetched on Wikipedia
I’m currently studying Gothic Revival architecture, so this is a timely post. It’s interesting to see how that style was interpreted outside of the UK.
Spanish modernism is a bit like gothic revival on dr*gs 😅
It’s such beautiful architecture. Europe has the best.
And we love Australia for the weather and its people
I have been to Spain a million times and almost every trip started from Barcelona. Its architecture is amazing and this hospital (now a museum) is a real gem!
It was a great discovery