One of Barcelona’s most architecturally significant buildings is the complex of pavilions at the former St Paul’s Hospital (Sant Pau).

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The entire complex was designed by the famous Catalan architect Lluís Domènech i Montaner and, together with the Palau de la Música Catalana concert hall, is considered a masterpiece of Catalan Modernism. It has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997.

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The complex of 26 buildings was constructed in record time between 1901 and 1903 and served as a hospital until 2009.

After that, a brand-new hospital opened next door, and following a five-year renovation, this building was converted into a museum of Catalan Modernism and a cultural centre.

For the time being, it is a relatively little-known Barcelona attraction, but it is definitely worth a visit for anyone with even a passing interest in architecture.

Admission and opening hours

The central outdoor area between the pavilions is open to the public, as are several buildings housing exhibitions on the hospital’s history.

The tour will take you around 30–40 minutes.

The grounds are open daily from 9.30 am. In the winter months, last admission is at 4.30 pm, whilst in the summer it is at 6.00 pm.

You can buy tickets on site or online for the same price 18 eur.

Official website:santpaubarcelona.org/visites

Location and transport

Sant Pau Hospital is situated about 500 metres from the Sagrada Familia, which is just a few minutes’ walk away. You can, of course, also use public transport.

• Metro –Sant Pau | Dos de Maigstation, approx. 100 metres away – line L5
• Bus –Cartagena – Av Gaudístop, right in front of the entrance – routes 191, 192, V23 or theDos de Maig – Sant Antoni Maria Claretstop, approx. 150 metres away – routes D50, V23

The entrance to the historic part of the hospital is on the southern side of the site.

Do not take the yellow metro line L4 to ‘Guinardó – Hospital de Sant Pau’ station, where the main entrance to the modern part of the hospital is located. From there, you would have to walk approximately 750 metres to reach the historic grounds.

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