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Hospital de Sant Pau- Modernist gem

Barcelona is not short of its own versions of Art Nouveau and Gothic style architecture which became known as Modernism in the late 19th century. The scale and extent of the Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau started in 1902 on the medieval site which has been in continuous use since 1401 is something to behold.

After Gaudi, the most famous Catalan architect is Lluis Domenech i Montaner and he shepherded this ambitious project which originally contemplated 48 pavilions on the site but ended up with 18 of which 12 were designed by him.

The idea was to modernise the ancient facilities making them more hygenic and practical while combining patients, doctors and ample space for rest and recovery. Using the "new" materials which were coming into fashion the use of steel, brick, tiles and glass with decorative features both inside and outside the pavillions creates an impressive environment.

The whole is set in extensive grounds with gardens, fountains and paths leading between the various pavilions and provides an ideal place to wander around or sit on a bench in the shade, forgetting you are in central Barcelona.

If I have to spend any time in a hospital, please make sure it is this one!

Click here to download:

Hospital_de_Sant_Pau-_Modernis.zip (7774 KB)

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Filed under // architecture Art Nouveau Barcelona Gaudi Gothic Hospital de Sant Pau Lluis Domenech i Montaner Modernism Modernist Montaner UNESCO heritage site

A Modernist cemetery

Off the beaten path for most visitors to Barcelona is an area with
lots of interesting architecture set on a hillside with good views- we
are talking about a cemetery.
The Montjuïc hill which dominates the southern side of the city was
first used and named after the Jews that used it as a burial ground
and about a third of it still is, although now a christian site.
When Catalonia and Barcelona started to flourish economically at the
end of the 19th century the cemetery was one of the main beneficiaries
with all sorts of exotic and new forms and materials used to create
the final resting places for the main families.
Wandering up the steep hillside under the tall cypress trees looking
at some of the best elements of Expressionist or what the Catalans
called Modernist art forms is really quite fun. This is characterized
by themes of natural romantic phenomena such as caves and rock
formations and utilises the creative potential of artisan
craftsmanship which you see all around you in the different shapes and
materials used in the crypts and graves.
All the best architects and craftsmen of their day were involved here
and several parts were designed by the ubiquitous Antoni Gaudí as well
as Lluis Domenech i Montaner, the two biggest stars of their day.