Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau

Have NOT been inside but I have walked around the area grounds and the structures are out of this world! Most of all, this main building is gorgeous and one of these days will return to explore the interior! The rest of its grounds has such wonderful and beautiful architecture!

The only part of this visit that gets one star is my timing, which is no fault of the hospital! Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau just happened to be a few blocks from our Airbnb. When I looked up information about the site, the first thing I learned was that it's an incredible and under-visited tourist attraction that many skip over on a visit to Barcelona.

Maybe it's because visitors are all about Gaudí and the Sagrada Familia. The hospital was designed by Domènech i Montaner, a well-known architect in the Catalan Art Nouveau (Modernisme) movement. Only two domes of the ten hospital buildings are alike. Buildings are connected by underground tunnels. Back in the day, each of the ten buildings was dedicated to a specific specialty.

The hospital is now recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site. You can tour some of the 10 buildings while others are used as offices for health organizations. The exhibits are very well done. There's lots to read about the founding of the hospital (initiated by the death of Pau Gil), the architect, and the history of construction.

What stood out for me was the intricate carvings, gargoyles, angels, tile work, soaring tile ceilings, stunning gardens, and attention to detail found through the property. Also, there is a video showing a glimpse of Gaudí's name in the patient register--this is where he was taken after being hit by a tram, and this is where he died.

Domènech i Montaner believed that every patient needed a certain amount of space, outdoor gardens, and a beautiful setting in order to heal. That square footage was exceeded in the end, and the resulting architecture is phenomenal in its execution.

Pro tip: make sure to go EARLY. There is so much to see. We took the second to the last slot of the day, and we only got through 1/4 of the program. If you love architecture, Modernisme, and want to expand your knowledge of the great personalities that shaped Barcelona, this hospital is a must-visit.

Pro tip 2: Pay for the audio guide. It's worth it!

Come to Spain and visit a hospital? Yes please...

Of all the places, I think this historical attraction in Barcelona is the most unique and best place you can visit other than the Cathedral, but also the most educational.

If you have family and friends who are in the medical profession or just interested in the medical field, this is a great place to visit and show them how art, architecture and practicability merges with each other.

There are orange trees and lavender planted around the center of the hospital field that encourages health and wellness.

There are a few buildings here where you can go inside and see how hospitals took care of the poor and sick patients at the time. Some of the buildings were still being constructed and in the future hopefully more exhibits will be available to future visitors.