{"id":2218,"date":"2017-01-13T10:57:21","date_gmt":"2017-01-13T09:57:21","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/bonplan_en.anakena.info\/?p=2218"},"modified":"2020-03-23T16:23:26","modified_gmt":"2020-03-23T15:23:26","slug":"sant-pau-hospital-modernism","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/barcelona-top-travel-tips.com\/sant-pau-hospital-modernism\/","title":{"rendered":"Hospital de Sant Pau: a mini art nouveau village"},"content":{"rendered":"

The hospital de Sant Pau is a unique art nouveau architectural ensemble as, unlike the Pedrera<\/a>, or the Casa Batlló<\/a>, it is not a residential building, but a medical centre. The grounds are bigger and the buildings are more numerous, which allows you to immerse yourself in a sort of miniature modernist village. The experience is quite unique and frankly very agreeable!<\/p>\n

History of the Hospital de Sant Pau<\/h2>\n

\nIn the 19th Century, the biggest hospital in Barcelona was the Hospital de la Santa Creu, located on hospital<\/em> street in the Raval. It’s also here where Gaudí drew his last breath after being hit by a tram. The building, which dates from the medieval period, today provides a very pleasant setting due to its hidden garden dotted with fountains.<\/p>\n

For a long time, it was all that was necessary to care for the sick. But the industrial revolution, cultural and demographic shifts in Barcelona as well as medical progress brought the need for a larger infrastructure so the city commissioned the famous architect Lluís Domènech to build a garden town for the patients.<\/p>\n

The result is spectacular, and makes it the largest modernist architectural ensemble in Europe. Its innovative spirit and architectural richness also led to it being registered in 1997 with the UNESCO World Heritage of Humanity.<\/p>\n

\"hospital<\/a>\n<\/p>\n

The hospital de Sant Pau today<\/h2>\n

Reform and renewal<\/h3>\n

\nThe Hospital de Sant Pau fulfilled its medical functions between 1930 and 2009, until these were transferred to new buildings. The historic buildings, brilliantly renovated, now house a campus as well as various associations and organisations (Asia House, Institute of the University of the United Nations on Globalisation, culture and mobility, etc.)<\/p>\n

\"hospital<\/a>\n<\/p>\n

Visiting the Hospital de Sant Pau<\/h3>\n

\nThe hospital de Sant Pau is one of the buildings of architectural interest that is opening up little by little to the public. Just like Torre Bellesguard<\/a> or the Casa Amatller<\/a> which were, until now, reserved for private use, the Hospital de Sant Pau now welcomes visitors who want to discover a lesser known side of Catalan art nouveau.<\/p>\n

The tour starts with an exhibition installed in the administration pavilion. Its goal is to highlight the hospital’s heritage and medical importance.<\/p>\n

Then you take the underground tunnels to the courtyards and gardens of the hospital to admire the orange trees, sculptures, stained glass windows and coloured facades.\n<\/p>\n