Barcelona, Spain’s Hospital de Sant Pau was built over the course of 30 years beginning in 1901, designed by modernist architect Lluís Doménech i Montaner. A shining example of the art nouveau style, the building attained status as a UNESCO World Heritage site in the late-90s and treated its final patients in 2009.
After being closed for a 5-year-long renovation process with costs estimated as high as €107 million, the hospital re-opened in February last year to visits by tourists. The public at large is now free to study an essential building in the art nouveau canon, with its barrel-vaulted ceilings that display some incredible tile work. The Catalan News Agency reported the site is also the home for institutions such as the United Nations UN-Habitat and the European Forest Institute.
The hospital was photographed recently by David Cardelus, according to DesignBoom, which states:
“the architectural photographer says the site was ‘projected as ‘a city within the city’ like a sum up of widely spaced colorful pavilions, well ventilated and oriented and surrounded by gardens intended to help the sick to get better sooner.’ this can be seen through each composition, as intricate details of the art nouveau style are explored.”
More of Cardelus’ photographs follow.
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Photographs by David Cardelus.
Yes! I spent hours wandering here and taking photographs in 2008, while living in Barcelona. I’ve told many friends to go there. It’s an incredible place in a city that too many people associate only with Gaudi. Thank you for these fantastic photos (much better than mine). See also the Palau de Musica. . .
just beautiful!
art nouveau through the spanish and moorish lens.
another reason to return to one of my favorite cities.
Wonderful architecture. Interesting that it’s in the same city as Gaudi. Would love to go there and take it all in personally, but will have to make do with the excellent photography. Thanks for the treat! Luisa and Frank