The Sant Pau Hospital (Hospital de la Santa Cruz y San Pablo) is comprised of a group of buildings designed by the well-known modernist Catalan architect, Lluís Domènech i Montaner.  With a large main building plus numerous other wards, the Sant Pau Hospital, along with the Pere Mata de Reus Institute--also designed by Montaner, make up one of the largest areas of modern Catalán architecture in Barcelona.

The buildings were designed to occupy a nine block area in the Ensanche/Eixample area of the city, on a square measuring 300x300 meters.  The hospital consists of a main building dedicated to administrative tasks, plus twenty seven medical wards.  All of the buildings are united by underground tunnels capable for transporting patients.  These tunnels are ventilated with fresh air, making their upkeep easier. 

In 2003, work began on the new buildings, with construction taking place at the extreme North end of the old building, and the goal to transfer services located in the older wards to the modernized areas as they were completed.  The question remains what will be done with the old wards as they have been declared historical buildings by UNESCO.

Since 2004, The Sant Pau Hospital has formed part of the Barcelona Institute of Urban Scenery's Modernist Route (la ruta del Modernismo del Instituto del Paisaje Urbano de Barcelona).  It is open for guided visits daily from 10am-2pm.

On July 3, 2009, a large inauguration party was held in the new building's honor, even though services won't be completely transferred to the new wards until January 2010.

Take a tour of the Modernist Route, and check out one of our Barcelona apartments located in the Sagarada Familia neighborhood!