Modernism is the name of Art Nouveau in Spain. You will often find authors that assimilate Antonio Gaudi and modernism. Of course Gaudi is the most important architect of the modernism movement in Barcelona. But it would be really unfair to forget all the really good stuff to see in Barcelona and its surroundings built by Josef Maria Jujol, Puig i Cadafalch, Domenech i Montaner, and numerous other artists. I have pointed out over 400 remaining modernist buidings in Barcelona.
Let's go and have a first walk for the Gaudi tour in Barcelona. You'd better take a metro one day ticket or buy good shoes as the different buildings are not always in the same area.
See also some works by Gaudi outside barcelona
It was really hard to make a choice among the hundreds of remaining buildings.
The most represented shops are chemisteries (farmacias) and a good number still exist, it was a period where farmacias where created in Barcelona. You will even find farmacias with original furniture. But the two most interesting shops are :
![]() |
Pasteria by ROS i GUELL at La Rambla, 83, This wonderful shop, covered with
green mosaic, make the angle of to streets. This angle is stressed by a stone sculpture.
La Rambla is one of the most crowded street of Barcelona. See also the iron door handles. |
![]() |
The panaderia (backery) situated at Girona, 73 is another must see. This is one of the very few wooden facade in Barcelona. Its shape is definitely Art Nouveau, but the central armory still remind the middle ages. Its designer is unknown.
The shop "El Siglo" by FERRES i PUIG, HOMS i MONCUSI & MAS i MORELL at Carrer de Pelai, 54 (very near placa de Catalunya) is an example of the influence of Viennese and Prague Secessions. This building is also called "Casa Damians". Look at the glass globe that crowns the tower and appreciate the monumental composition.
Palau de la musica Catalana (Catalan Music Palace) by Domenec i Montaner. This building is a total work of Art every part has been designed with the most famous artists of that time. The wall surface are decorated with bricks and mosaics and topped with a large wall painting that represents an allegory of music. Although the outside is riche, the spectacle room is the climax of the visit with its stained glass ceiling, carved woods and ceramics. It is possible to have a guided tour inside the building, you should ask the tourist office. | Facade with the wall painting Cashier lodge |
![]() |
Hospital Sant Pau by Puig i Cadafalch. This work is in fact composed of numerous buildings (pavillons) distributed over a large space. Every building is decorated (inside and outside) with bricks and mosaic. The plan is at the state of the art in hospital construction around 1900. | ![]() |
Casa de Lactancia Municipal. It is now the place for an retirement building. The facade is a kind of Catalunya gothic revival but the inside is really Art Nouveau. The plan is distributed around a patio which is used as a meeting place and a light shaft. It is decorated by mosaics ans stain glasses. | ![]() |
![]() |
Casa Tosquella by BALCELLS i BUIGAS at Carrer de Vallirana, 93 : this house is unfortunately in a very poor state but reveals a great design in the planimetry and in its outside shape is clearly inspired by Mauresque architecture and Belgian Art Nouveau. The detail reveals good iron work together with stylised stalks patterns that are unfortunately half destroyed. | ![]() |
Casa Comalat by VALERI i PURPURUL at 442, Avinguda Diagonal and 316, calle de Corsega : the facade on the mallorca avenue is strongly inspired by the casa Battlo by Gaudi but it is even more expressive. The ground floor is made of granulating false granite. It is covered by a huge green metal jutting out bow window that embraces several floors and smotthen the facade. It is topped by frescas on a kind of renewed fronton. The other facade, on the Diagonal, is very different. Its windows and cover feature medieval knights' armors. You may try to look inside the hall (there is a gate keeper) which is richely decorated and worth a look. |
|
|
Café "Muy Buenas" at carrer del carme, 63. Original Art Nouveau furniture inside and a wonderful wooden ceiling light that mimics nature (Nancy Art Nouveau influence). | ![]() |
Art Nouveau Restaurants in Barcelona
![]() |
Cave Codorniu, Sant Sadurni d"e;Anoia by Puig i Cadafalch. You need a car to get there as the Sant Sadurni train station is not very near. See the wonderful parabolic vault and glass brick windows in the visitor hall. Visit also the museum that is now located in the former caves. At the end of the visit, don't forget the degustation of Cavas, one of the best sparkling wine of Spain. |
|
Bodegas Guell, Caretera Comarcal, 246, Garraf by Gaudi. These caves built for the Comte Guell, the most important client of Gaudi, are composed of two buildings : a gatekeeper lodge made of bricks with a large iron gate that is made as a fishing net and on the opposite, a cave made of stone with two steep-wall-roofs. | The stone roof |
Caretaker's house |
![]() ![]() |
Colonia Guell, Santa Colona de Cervello : crypt by Gaudi, houses
by Rubio It can be reached easily by train (station Colonia Guell) |
![]() House Can Mercader by Rubio |
![]() |
Torre de la Creu, Sant Joan Despi by Jujol. The plan of this building is made of three circles crowned by ceramics domes and three stepped towers. Two domes are covered by a round balcony. The highest tour is topped by a 4 branch cross. Its last floor homes an open space belvedere. Sant Joan Despi can be reached easily by train (from station pl de Catalunya or Sants) |
General view of the Torre that let appreciate its plan |
Zoom of roof with the twisted ceramic chimney and a balcony |
Anvers - Barcelone – Bratislava - Bruxelles – Budapest - Buenos Aires – Den Haag - Helsinky – La Palmas - Milano - Nancy - Paris - Prague - Riga – Rosario - Strasbourg - Torino - Vienna |