Hospital de Santa Creu i de Sant Pau

The Hospital de Santa Creu i de Sant Pau, commonly known as Hospital de Sant Pau, is an impressive complex constructed at the beginning of the twentieth century by Lluís Domènech I Montaner and his son. The surprising hospital was designed like a small modernist complex. The idea behind the design was to help the patients heal thanks to its pleasant atmosphere. Since 2009, it has no longer functioned as a hospital.  

The impressive buildings covered in red brick were designed as sober country houses surrounded by a lovely setting. Each department was housed in a different building and these were all connected by underground passageways.

Exploring the Hospital

Visitors may take a self-guided visit of Sant Pau or can also take an English-speaking guided tour of the grounds while gaining in-depth knowledge of the history of Sant Pau and life in Barcelona during the twentieth century.

The visit begins in the Pavilion of Sant Jordi, where visitors will get to see an exhibition on the past, present, and future of the Hospital. The tour continues inside the Hospital’s church and then in various other pavilions, where the guide will tell you curious stories that took place in the complex. The visit comes to an end in the underground tunnels that connect all the buildings.

If you decide to visit the center without booking a guided tour, you may only visit some of the Hospital’s pavilions and you won’t be allowed access to the tunnels.

An Open-Air Museum

The Hospital de Santa Creu i de Sant Pau is one of the most exceptional Catalan Art Nouveau complexes in Barcelona. Moreover, in 2014, it was completely renovated and transformed into a research and cultural center. In our opinion, it's definitely worthwhile visiting.