The Sant Pau Art Nouveau Site is an architectural, historical and artistic Suite declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Built in two phases between 1902 and 1930, it is the largest modernist complex in the world, open to the public for tours or concerts at the height of Candlelight, the live music series by candlelight.
This jewel conceived by the Catalan architect Lluís Domènech i Montaner is located in the Baix-Guinardó neighborhood, close to the Sagrada Familia, Gaudí Avenue and Rosselló Street. To get here you can use public transport, which will take you to the Sant Pau – Dos de Maig metro stationor buses H8, 19, 47, 117 or 192.
Facts, curiosities and interesting things about the Sant Pau Art Nouveau Site
1. It housed the facilities of the Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau for a century
The Sant Pau Art Nouveau Site project was conceived as a hospital, an innovative center in terms of architecture and technology that would bear the name of Sant Pau. In 1926 it was finally decided to move here the old Hospital de la Santa Creu, which remained in the modernist complex until 2009, whenthe health activity ceased.
2. The architect Lluís Domènech i Montaner planned it to be an even larger Suite
Did you know that Domènech drew 48 buildings in the draft? This is an astonishing fact considering the magnitude of the complex with only the 27 pavilions that were eventually built. The isolated pavilions, with gardens and connected by subway tunnels, were inspired by the most modern hospitals in Europe.
3. It was awarded the prize for the best building in Barcelona in 1913
In the annual competition for artistic buildings, Barcelona City Council awarded the Recinte Modernista de Sant Pau the prize for the best building. With this award, Domènech has received three awards–including the Palau de la Música Catalana–from the city council, for which he was awarded the Gold Medal of the institution.
4. Its main ticket is oriented 45 degrees to the Eixample
There are several versions that seek to explain this orientation. The first of them believes that the architect wanted to take advantage of the wind from the sea to ventilate the hospital and thus protect it from disease, while the second speaks of an intention to break with the structure of the Eixample, which they say he did not like.
5. Today, it hosts prestigious organizations such as the WHO, the World Health Organization (WHO), the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Health Organization (WHO)
After the relocation of the Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, the heritage Suite was restored. Since then, some of the former pavilions have hosted organizations with a high social impact in the fields of health, innovation and sustainability, such as the World Health Organization and the European Forest Institute, among others.
Candlelight concerts at the Sant Pau Art Nouveau Site
Rediscover the melodies that make your skin crawl, surrounded by thousands of candles and in a unique setting: the beautiful gardens of Sant Pau. Candlelight the Candlelight Concert Series, brings you the most exciting outdoor Tributes to enjoy the hits of Coldplay, ABBA, Queen and many more.
what else can you do at the Sant Pau Art Nouveau Site?
In addition to the magical concerts that will allow you to admire this unforgettable modernist work in its maximum splendor, you can also visit it on your own, with an interactive audio guide or with the guides. A fantastic opportunity to discover the anecdotes and artistic details hidden in the Sant Pau Art Nouveau Site.
The Sant Pau Art Nouveau Site is added to the spectacular list of scenarios which are illuminated with thousands of candles by Candlelight. An immersive musical experience that will fill your next visit to this architectural jewel of reference in Barcelona with magic.