Visiting Hospital De La Santa Creu I Sant Pau in Barcelona

Hospital De La Santa Creu I Sant Pau or Hospital of the Holy Cross and Saint Paul
This UNESCO World Heritage site of a multiple building hospital site built over a 30 year period at the turn of the century between 1901-1930 exemplifies how hospitals do not have to be boring and dreary places. Vibrant, full of color and imagination to lift the spirits when recuperating, Hospital De La Santa Creu I Sant Pau is a dynamic example of Catalan modernist architecture. According to the brochure by the World UNESCO organization, Lluís Domènech i Montaner is "one of the greatest figures of the Catalan modernisme movement, along with Antoni Gaudi".

Free Things To Do In Barcelona, Spain
It is free to enjoy the many fine examples of Catalan modernist architecture when walking the streets of Barcelona. You can visit many works by Antoni Gaudi such as Park Güell, Casa Batlló and Casa Milà. Admission is extra if you want to view any of the buildings inside. Sagrada Família is one of the most famous works of architecture by Antoni Gaudi and is frequently crowded with tourists. But a little known gem of a site, just up the street from Sagrada Familia is Hospital De La Santa Creu I Sant Pau and is among one of the best free things to do in Barcelona. If you are visiting Sagrada Familia, take the time to walk to Hospital De La Santa Creu I Sant Pau.

Why You Should Visit
The hospital grounds are made up of several buildings and pavilions which on a practical level by being isolated helps to prevent the spread of disease and infection. According to an entry on Wikipedia.org , Catalan modernism is all about the details with fine craftsmanship revealed in ornate sculptures, mosaics and stained glass.

Architect Lluís Domènech i Montaner
A contemporary of Antoni Gaudi, Montaner also worked on the grand and ornate Palau de la Musica. Hospital De La Santa Creu I Sant Pau exemplifies much of the grandeur of Catalan modernist architecture. The hospital grounds are a study in form meeting function as the architect. The informative brochure provided by the UNESCO World Heritage Foundation advises that Montaner studied other hospital buildings throughout Europe who used the idea of isolated pavilions to prevent the spread of infections. Montaner came up with an innovative solution for the convenience of hospital staff with separate pavilions joined by an underground gallery.

Be Sure To Bring Along
Pack a picnic lunch by picking up a sandwich or pastry from a local patisserie. Enjoy the beautiful landscaped grounds on one of the benches scattered throughout. Grab a book to sit and read outside. To keep the kids amused, pack along pieces of bread to feed the birds or dry cat food to feed some of the feral cats wandering the grounds.

How Do I Get There
St. Antoni M. Claret, 167
Barcelona
The closest metro stops are yellow line L4 Guinardo but the blue line L5 Sant Paul stop is recommended as it is closer to the front entrance where it makes the biggest impression. When you arrive, pick up one of the free information brochures available in English located in the foyer as you enter the grounds.

Sources:
UNESCO World Heritage printed brochure "Hospital De La Santa Creu I Sant Pau", June 2003
Hospital de La Santa Creu I Sant Pau website. www.santpau.es
Catlan Modernisme on Wikipedia.org
Lluís Domènech i Montaner on Wikipedia.org