Sant Pau Art Nouveau Site: History, Architecture, and Tickets for Your Visit

Sant Pau Art Nouveau Site History

Sant Pau Art Nouveau can easily be named a hidden gem on the map of Barcelona. Not as well known as Casa Batllo or Sagrada Familia, Sant Pau is one of the most brilliant examples of Catalan modernism, a work by the famous Lluis Domenech i Muntaner. This place served as a hospital before becoming a tourist landmark. Today, Sant Pau is open for visits and is declared a Unesco World Heritage Site.

The Origins of Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau

Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau was built in two phases. The architect Lluis Domenech i Muntaner led the first one, which lasted from 1902 to 1913 and involved the construction of thirteen buildings. All thirteen of them represent a beautiful example of Catalan modernism. At the same time, his son, Pere Domenech i Roura, led the second phase, which ended with the construction of six more buildings in the moderate modernism style.

The construction was initiated by Pau Gil i Serra, a Barcelona banker who lived in Paris, worked between two countries, and successfully exploited the fleet of transport ships he inherited from his father. The entrepreneur made a name in the circle of French noblemen. Pau Gil i Serra was single and did not have offspring. After his death, the entrepreneur bequeathed to dissolve the bank belonging to him. He left an amount of money to each of his nephews and sons of his brother Leopold, a total of 400,000 francs, 25,000 francs to the Congregation of the Mission of the Friars of Saint Lazarus, and around four million pesetas for the construction of a new hospital in Barcelona.

The complex was designed to occupy nine blocks in the Ensanche district, 300 by 300 metres square. It was formed by a central building dedicated to administration and 27 pavilions for medical and nursing needs. All the buildings had to be connected by underground galleries suitable for patient transfers.

The hospital known as Santa Cruz was finished in 1930. At the same time, the name Saint Pablo o Pau was added to the official title, thus becoming the hospital's official denomination—Hospital of Santa Cruz and San Pablo. Today, it is known as the Hospital of San Pablo or Sant Pau.

The Vision of Architect Lluís Domènech i Montaner

Lluís Domènech i Montaner is known for his original style, which boasts features typical of Catalan modernism, a new style popular from the end of the 19th century to the beginning of the 20th century.

Hospital Sant Pau features red brick walls, mosaic on the external and internal walls, a lot of iron, floral decor and columns imitating the Mudejar, a mix of Arabic and Christian art.

The architect worked with various artists, including Pablo Gargallo and Eusebio Arnau, who created the numerous sculptures in the complex; Francesc Labarta, who designed the paintings and mosaics, and Josep Perpinyà, who was in charge of the wrought iron elements.

Lluis Domenech i Muntaner chose to orientate Sant Pau Hospital to the sea, thus breaking the grid structure of the Ensanche district. The architect did not like this structure, which was designed and built by the military architect Ildefonso Cerda. This is probably the reason for choosing this orientation. The other possible reason is that facing the sea, the hospital is better aired by the wind blowing from the sea.

Lluis Domenech i Muntaner built a unique space for a thousand patients. That was not his first hospital; the architect had already designed another medical establishment—a psychiatric hospital in Reus. In this new project, he got inspiration from the hospitals built before, by Johns Hopkins in Baltimore, Am Urban in Berlín, and Lariboisière in París.

From Hospital de Sant Pau to Recinte Modernista de Sant Pau

From 1930 to 2009, the whole complex served medical needs, being an operative hospital with rooms for medical visits and an inpatient department.

In 2009, the hospital was transferred to a new location, and the complex was rehabilitated and prepared to serve as a tourist attraction. It has conserved the original decor and architecture and now features the investigation centre and the museum.

Sant Pau Art Nouveau Site Architecture

Art Nouveau Design Features at Sant Pau Barcelona

Sant Pau features decor inspired by nature. The architect used many floral, vegetal, and animal motifs, from the mosaics to the sculptures. Fluid lines and curved forms demonstrate another attempt to imitate nature.

Art nouveau is also characterised by using new materials unimaginable for Gothic, Classic, or Baroque architecture. Glass, glazed tiles, many glazed ceramics, and ceramic mosaics are all decor elements; they also bring more light to the pavilions and make the constructions less heavy.

As the modernist tradition dictates, the complex uses a lot of symbols of health and well-being.

Apart from being meticulously decorated, all the rooms are also very functional. There is good ventilation and lighting.

Key Buildings in the Sant Pau Modernist Complex

Sant Pau was recognised as the most significant Art Nouveau site and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1997. According to the original plan, the hospital was supposed to comprise 48 buildings. However, only 27 buildings were constructed, 19 of which were part of the modernist plan. They are richly decorated with mosaics, tiles, gardens, and sculptures, thus not only being the functional room of the modern hospital of its time but also remaining forever a work of art.

The key buildings are:

Administrative pavilion - the iconic central building used as the main entrance and serving the needs of the hospital administration. It is now used as an event hall. Sant Salvador Pavilion and Sant Rafael Pavilion—located under the domes, these two pavilions mirror each other and feature characteristic tilework. One is used for men's healthcare and the other for women's. Santa Apol·lònia Pavilion. This pavilion is distinct, it presents a unique architectural layout and decoration features. It was used for specific medical treatments. Operations Pavilion reflects the hospital's approach to healthcare, being equipped with the latest equipment.

The Restoration and Preservation of Sant Pau

Serving medical needs for decades, the need for restoration arose in the 1980s. The hospital buildings were suffering from deterioration, pollution, and extensive use.

So, in 2009, when the medical services were transferred to the adjacent rooms, the 19 modernist buildings were left vacant and available for restoration. The work was quite challenging and required the participation of various craftsmen. The team included experts from different areas to conserve the tiles, mosaics, glass, and iron elements and return them to their original state.

Besides reforming the decoration, the restoration process included modernising the hospital building to meet the needs of contemporary society. The hospital was equipped with energy-efficient systems and technologies.

Visiting the Sant Pau Art Nouveau Site

Sant Pau is not as crowded as Sagrada Familia or the Casa Batlló. So you can expect a much smoother visit, with more time and the possibility to observe the beauty of the modernist decoration, walk through the lush gardens, and take nice pictures in the former hospital rooms. Choose between the self-guided tour and the tour with a professional guide.

You can either book only the ticket and receive plans and brochures to help you organise your visit or get the audio guide and listen to voice comments about every building and the place's history. Pictures and videos on the screen will help you discover the past of the world’s most beautiful hospitals.

For the most curious, guided tours are available. You will be accompanied by an expert guide throughout your journey, listening to the story of Sant Pau and the jokes and curious facts around the hospital that gathered during its 600 years of existence.

There are also activities for families available. Check the schedule and book the one that suits you best!

How to Buy Hospital de Sant Pau Tickets

Ensure you buy your tickets in advance to secure the entrance and guarantee the best price. Check out our product section and choose the one that suits you the best.

Please don't miss your date and time; you won't be able to get inside if you miss your slot.

Opening Hours and Location of Sant Pau Recinte Modernista

Independent visit Monday - Sunday: 9:30 PM - 6:30 PM (29 March - October) 9:30 PM - 5:00 PM (November - March) The last access is 30 minutes before the closing time.

Guided visit Weekends and holidays: 11:00 AM Spanish, 12:30 PM Catalan The other languages are also possible upon request.

Guided Tours and Visitor Information for Sant Pau

Guided visits are available in Spanish or Catalan on weekends and public holidays. However, you can also book your tour on a weekday and in another language. However, you have to send a request in advance to secure your guide.

The guided tours include the service of an expert guide who will lead you through the building, tell the hospital's history, and curious cases from the many years of its existence.

Plan Your Visit to Sant Pau Art Nouveau Site

Best Time to Visit Sant Pau Hospital Barcelona

Sant Pau Hospital in Barcelona is less crowded than the famous Sagrada Familia, Casa Batllo, or La Pedrera. It is not as well known as the others but is still worth visiting among the other modernist sites. It is a hidden gem on the map of Barcelona, so basically, any time you choose to visit will be good.

But if you want to have very small crowds and take the best photoshoots, you’d better come to the museum early in the morning or late in the afternoon. The beams of morning light will make the hospital domes look especially good, and the play of light and shadow in the hospital rooms will look excellent in your pictures.

How to Get to Sant Pau Art Nouveau Site in Barcelona

Sant Pau Art Nouveau Site is located in the centre of Barcelona. You can take the metro, Line 5, to the station Sant Pau – Dos de Maig Or one of the buses: Bus: H8, 19, 47, 117, 192