Barcelona has always buzzed with color and movement – its art, language, people, food, culture and especially architecture. Throughout the city you can find architectural marvels dating back from the medieval times to the 20th century. You will always be hypnotized by the beauty in the buildings, but the real stars of the show are the Modernisme masterpieces throughout Barcelona. While the most recognizable Modernisme buildings are Gaudi icons, like the Sagrada Famila, Casa Batllo and La Pedrera, here are five lesser-known Modernisme building that are worth the visit.
Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau https://www.santpaubarcelona.org
Carrer de Sant Quintí, 89, 08041 Barcelona
Located in the Sant Marti Neighborhood, this architectural wonder can sometimes be overlooked by its famous holy neighbor, The Sagrada Familia. But don’t let the opportunity to visit pass you! This remarkable masterpiece was built between 1901-1930 by another leading Modernisme architect Lluis Domenech i Montaner. The ‘Reciente Modernista’ complex is composed of 12 unique buildings each with their own tiles, ceilings, designs and charm. With each step enter a kaleidoscope of patterns, colors, and swirls that leave you enchanted.
*The hospital de Sant Pau was declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO in 1997.
Palau de la Musica http://www.palaumusica.cat/en C/ Palau de la Música, 4-6, 08003 Barcelona
While roaming through the narrow roads of the El Born neighborhood, a gem shines through the medieval streets. The Palau de La Música was constructed in just three years by Lluís Domènech i Montaner and has become a cultural landmark. This amazing creation is just as colorful inside as it is outside - adorned by organic shapes, floral motifs and storytelling carvings. Your visit is not complete without entering the main auditorium and gazing upwards to the stain glass ceiling, leaving you breathless. The combination of colorful stain glass, intricate metal, skilled iron work and lifelike sculpture make this a real one-of-a-kind gem.
Casa Vicencs https://casavicens.org/ Carrer de les Carolines, 20, 08012 Barcelona
After 130 years of curiosity and restoration Casa Vicencs has finally become open to the public! This residential project was the first of Antoni Gaudi’s many creations. Commissioned by Manel Vicens i Montaner, Gaudi was asked to design the Vicencs summer garden home. Until 2014 Casa Vicencs was a private residence, then in November 2017 it opened its museum doors the public with a warm welcome. The geometric and ‘pixelated’ façade of Casa Vicencs differs from Gaudi’s typical flowing, mosaic styled pieces but the unexplored gem is nonetheless impressive. This early creation is a sweet homage to the beginning of the Catalan modernism movement.
Casa Terrades - Casa de les Punxes https://casadelespunxes.com/en Avinguda Diagonal, 420, 08037 Barcelona
Most famous for its six pointy spires, Casa Terredes, or Casa de les Punxes, incorporates the Modernisme movement with a medieval castle feel. This house symbolizes the strength of Catalonia’s 20th century bourgeoisie and was created by Josep Puig I Cadafalch for the Terrades family. On the building’s façade you will find classic Modernisme themes such as cermanic tiles and iron work. If you look closely to the roof a familiar image of a knight on top of a dragon towers above. Does it ring a bell? Casa de les Punxes is also home to the story of the Sant Jordi, the tale of a brave knight who saves his princess from the ruthless dragon all in the name of love. 🌹
Torre Andreu http://nnrehabilitacion.com/es/proyectos/la-rotonda-torre-andreu http://www.larotondabarcelona.com Passeig de Sant Gervasi 51-53; Avinguda Tibidabo 2-4. Barcelona
As you exit the FGC stop of Av. Tibidabo [L7], you are greeted by a gorgeous sunshine yellow building. Torre Andreu has gone through many changes in its life but remains a modernisme treasure. The building was originally constructed by Adolf Ruiz I Casamitjana in 1906 as a hotel and later extended by Enric Sagnier in 1918 when it was repurposed into a clinic. Throughout its lifetime the façade of Torre Andreu was altered and simplified and its decorative rooftop pinnacles were removed. Despite the alterations and reconstructions, today you can still see the emblematic cupola and decorative dipped-white rooftop.
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