Also known elsewhere as Modern Style , Art Nouveau, Jugendstil , Liberty , Floreale or Secession , this world-wide cultural movement involved all aspects of the Arts and had its big time at the turn of the century. In the architectural aspect, it meant a reaction to straight line that had been ruling for thousands of years, originating a powerful, creative and dreamlike new concept in construction, a world full of fantasy and vegetal forms that came to life thanks to the re-discovery of the arts & crafts .
In Catalonia , and particularly in Barcelona , this stile became extremely popular. So much so that, in spite of being the city severely bombed in the thirty's and many of its gorgeous buildings demolished during the dictatorship due to speculation, we still can enjoy more than 500 of them in Barcelona. That means more abundance of them than in Vienna or Prague or any other city in the world.
As far as architecture is concerned, Catalan Modernisme became internationally prestigious thanks to its undisputed masters: Antoni Gaudí i Cornet, Lluís Domènech i Montaner, Josep Puig i Cadafalch and Josep Maria Jujol. Many of their best works have been declared World Heritage sites by the UNESCO.
Among them, the Palau de la Musica Catalana (1905-1908) stands out as the ultimate modernist masterpiece: a piece of jewellery with lavish decoration as a result of a colourful combination of iron, glass, stone, mosaics, brick and stain-glass that make it unique in its kind in the world.
Other outstanding works are the
- Hospital de Sant Pau
- Casa Amatller
- Casa Lleó Morera
- Casa Terrades
- Palau Macaya
- Torre de la Creu
This tour can take from one to three hours according to time availability and means of transportation (walking and/or driving choice). Otherwise, it can be also combined with the old city tour or the Gaudí tour.