Recinte Modernista Sant Pau Museum UNESCO World Heritage Site

The Sant Pau hospital was built to amplify the existing hospital capacity in Barcelona being provided by the Santa Creu Hospital in the Raval District. Construction was from 1901 till 1930. It was a fully functional hospital until 2009 when the newer modern hospital, constructed behind, was opened. From 2009 till 2014 the buildings were closed for restoration and it opened as a museum and conference space in 2014. More information about the history of the buildings can be found on the official website.

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 is Lluis Domenech i Montaner.

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.

Above ground, the layout of each ward is similar with an open plan ward including solarium and rooms for the on shift medical staff to live and work. This large open plan ward design meant that by the time that construction was complete and the hospital opened, it was already outdated as hospital design was favoring individual or two to four patient rooms. In the middle of the hospital complex is a lage garden patio area that was for the recuperation of patients.

Unlike the Sagrada Familia the former grand Hospital has not yet reached the point of being saturated with visitors so it is still possible to buy the tickets at time of entry. However, I advise purchasing the tickets online in advance because they are cheaper. For an additional 2 euros you can buy an audio guide app which I highly recommend.

Please check opening hours on the website as they differ from summer to winter. Also, on some days there are events and conferences that may mean restricted access to some parts of the museum. Consult website for more information.

At the time of writing, a basic ticket cost 10.50 euros or 12.50 euros to include an audio guide. Additionally, on offer are guided tours in various languages. Consult website for more information and more ticket options. I used a 12.50 euro basic ticket, however the audio guide is recommended because the audio commentary provides more information than in the numerous displays.

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

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