Recinte Modernista Sant Pau Museum UNESCO World Heritage Site

About Recinte Modernista Sant Pau

The Recinte Modernista de Sant Pau is a museum and conference space inside an Art-Nouveau former hospital dating from 1930. Sant Pau was awarded UNESCO world heritage status in 1997.

Sant Pau Hospital History

The Sant Pau hospital was built to replace the existing medieval hospital (from 1401) of Santa Creu in the Raval District which had become too small and outdated to provide for the medical needs of Barcelona city.

Construction of the new Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau was from 1901 till 1930. The new hospital design of open wards was out of date at the time of opening due to airborn pandemics such as The Spanish influenza pandemic of 1918 to 1920.

Sant Pau continued to serve the city of Barcelona as a fully functional hospital till 2009. The hospital was replaced by a newer hospital built behind the art nouveau complex.

From 2009 till 2014 the buildings were closed for restoration.

The restoration work is ongoing and currently completed are the administration building plus two wards. Also included in the visit is access to the restored underground tunnels that link into the basements of all the wards. The tunnels were used by hospital staff to move quickly and invisibly around the hospital complex between the wards and administration buildings. Also included is the garden area which was considered esential for healing and recuperation.

Above ground, the layout of each ward is similar with an open plan ward including a solarium and rooms for the on shift medical staff to live and work.

Image Gallery for Recinte Modernista Sant Pau

Click on any of the 47 images to open full screen gallery player

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Visiting Recinte Modernista Sant Pau

This is a true hidden gem of Barcelona. The restoration work to the wards using the original enamel tiling is spectacular. The tiling technique is the same as employed in most Gaudi works (Catalan modernism) however, the chief architect here was Lluís Domènech i Montaner.

On a vist to Sant Pau, you will learn about early 20th century pharmacy and surgery as well as the important Catalan architect Lluís Domènech i Montaner.

Although not as busy as La Sagrada Família the former grand Hospital is still very popular and I advise purchasing the tickets online in advance.

Additionally, on offer are guided tours in various languages.

I recommend allowing 2 hours for the visit. Once finished, outside within the front square there is a snack bar. Also, across the street I found a nice heathy eating bar that sells salads, sandwiches etc.

Tip: Don't forget to take headphones for your mobile to enjoy the audio guide

For information about the wards and other buildings, I have a map of the Recinte Modernista de sant pau in the documents section.

Recinte Modernista Sant Pau tickets

Recinte Modernista Sant Pau Opening Times

• April to October: 10:00h to 18:30h
• November to March: 10:00h to 17:00h
• Last access 30 minutes before closing

Other notable works by Lluís Domènech i Montaner

Lluís Domènech i Montaner was also a prolific Catalan Modernist Architect like Antoni Gaudí wih a lot of his works being industrial buildings. However, he did also create public buildings such as Palau de La Música Catalana and Castell dels Tres Dragons - three dragons castle, in Parc Cuitadella

Accessibility, mobility & Clothing for Recinte Modernista Sant Pau

The various buildings that make up the Recinte Modernista have ramp access wiht an elevator between floors in the adminastrative building. Being a former grand hospital the site was already thought out for movement of people on wheels.

You may be asked to deposit large rucksacks, bags and other over sized items in reception before entering. Access should be OK with a small 10L rucksack.

Bicycle anchorage points outside la Sant Pau Hospital Recinte Modernista in Carrer de sant Antoni Maria Claret with Avenida Gaudi.

Don't forget headphones for the audio guide.



Day Trip Rucksack

Small 10L day trip and museums rucksack





In Ear Headphones

With 3.5mm jack. For running and for museum visits that have an audio guide. Museums don't provide headphones since Covid.





Emergency Poncho

Small folded lightweight Water proof poncho for emergencies

Getting to Recinte Modernista Sant Pau

Address: Carrer de Sant Antoni Maria Claret 167, Barcelona. 08025

Nearby is Sant Pau | Dos de Maig TMB METRO station on the blue line (L5).

Documents for Recinte Modernista Sant Pau

Click on any one of the 3 PDFs to view in full screen and download.