YOU’VE heard of the Sagrada Familia and Park Güell – but you may not have heard of this other magnificent site that’s in the middle of the city.
It has over 600 years of history and is now an incredibly impressive Art Nouveau Site worthy of being just as famous as its grand neighbours.
Sant Pau is a former hospital turned historical attraction found in the Eixample district of Barcelona.
In fact, it’s only 6 minutes away from the famous Sagrada Familia.
The site was previously called the Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau – as it was a working hospital up until 2009.
The impressive complex was built between 1901 and 1930 and was designed by Catalan modernist architect Lluís Domènech i Montaner.
But its history dates back 1401 when six medieval hospitals in Barcelona merged to form the Hospital de la Santa Creu – was transformed into a modernist complex years later.
The site is made up of 16 pavilions which are connected by underground tunnels and was designed to be a “garden city” for the sick.
Inside are lots of open spaces and natural light as well as pretty gardens which were constructed in the hope of promoting healing.
The layout was revolutionary at the time with Lluís Domènech i Montaner believing that a natural and beautiful environment would help the recovery of patients.
The design of multiple pavilions also helped to stop the spreading of diseases.
The building is the largest Art Nouveau complex in Europe, it has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1997 and it’s considered to be one of the world’s most beautiful hospitals.
Due to its role as a hospital, Sant Pau isn’t as well-known as other nearby sites – and it gets approximately 375,000 visitors each year.
In comparison, the Sagrada Familia gets around 4.5 million visitors per year, as does Park Güell.
It wasn’t until 2014 that the site was restored and reopened as a museum and cultural center.
If you’re wondering what happened to the patients when the hospital closed – they were transferred next door into a modern facility.
Inside are beautiful decorations like mosaics, stained glass, and glazed tiles which visitors can marvel at.
Quite often there are events held there too – the site recently held the Sant Pau International Chamber Music Festival.
Over Christmas it’s been lit up with lights, 18 interactive instillations and of course, there’s a huge Christmas tree.
For those who want to explore it at their own pace, you can do so with a self-guided visit and a map for guidance at €11.90 (£10.44).
Guests can also take a guided tour and on Saturdays at 10.30AM tours will be taken in English.
You can buy tickets from €21 (£18.42) or €5 (£4.38) for children between 3-11 years old.
Plus, check out this abandoned Victorian church that has been turned into one of the UK’s most beautiful swimming pools.
And this eerie Victorian-era asylum is being transformed into a luxury 5-star hotel and spa.