6 Art Nouveau tours in the regions of Barcelona
Let yourself be captivated by the trencadís mosaic and wrought iron you will find in the regions of Barcelona. From the bourgeois towers of La Garriga to the renovation of Santa Florentina Castle in Canet de Mar, six Art Nouveau tours bring you closer to an art form that sought to turn every detail into a work of art. While recalling renowned masters such as Domènech i Montaner and Puig i Cadafalch, but also lesser-known modernist architects such as Joaquim Manuel Raspall, each facade is a reminder of the splendour of a bygone era that still makes you stop and look up. A journey full of mosaics and colour that turns any walk into a unique experience
Modernisme Tour through La Garriga
In La Garriga, Modernisme is on display in all its glory on Illa Raspall, an architectural complex of four houses that will leave you flabbergasted. Here, the great architect, Manuel Joaquim Raspall, created a universe full of colours and shapes, where each tower becomes a poem. The Modernisme Tour in La Garriga, which also includes the architect's birthplace, Casa Raspall, with its decorated facade and nostalgic atmosphere, will enchant you with the magic of an era that has not faded away. Would you like to get lost in its streets and let the wonders of this neighbourhood captivate you, while admiring the beauty of the surrounding landscape? A special moment to do so is the second weekend in October, when the Modernisme Days take place.
Practical information
- Starting point Casa Mercè Mayol
- Distance: 2.7 km
- Duration: 2 hrs 30 min
- Slope: 20 m
Modernisme Tour through Cardedeu
If you want to explore Raspall more in depth, the Modernisme Tour through Cardedeu will show you how the architect's legacy can be perceived in the talking buildings. Do not miss the Alqueria Cloelia, with its unique charm, as well as the Arquer and Golferichs houses, two gems that embody the essence of Modernisme in this town. Among the town's architectural wonders, the Torre Gual or Montserrat, designed by the prestigious architect Balcells, will take your breath away. Every corner will link you up with the creative talent that defined an era and stirred the heart of Cardedeu. Visit on the first weekend of October and you will be there for the Cardedeu Modernisme Day.
Practical information
- Starting point Alqueria Coelia
- Distance: 1.5 km
- Duration: 1 hr 30 min
- Slope: 20 m
Modernisme Tour through Vilafranca del Penedès
To follow the ways of Modernisme in the regions of Barcelona, heat to the Alt Penedès region and embark on a captivating journey along the Modernisme Tour through Vilafranca del Penedès, where you will discover a legacy of innovation and architectural beauty that will amaze you. Do you know some of the most unique details of this tour? You will be fascinated by the Carrara marble sculptures in the Crypt of Santa Maria, where devotion and Art Nouveau blend harmoniously. Furthermore, Casa Miró, with its asymmetrical facade, will showcase local talent, while Residència Inglada Via (retirement home), with its neo-Gothic style and use of exposed brick, will reveal a unique side of Vilafranca's Modernisme. Each building will take you into a world of stories and emotions that are ready to be discovered!
Practical information
- Starting point Town square
- Distance: 2.6 km
- Duration: 3 hrs 30 min
- Slope: 20 m
Modernisme Tour through Mataró
In Mataró, the Modernisme tour will take you into a world of architectural allure, where every building has a story to tell. Do not miss the iconic Nau Gaudí, a stunning example of the master's genius, where its bold and innovative forms challenge traditional standards. Nor should you miss Casa Coll i Regàs, the most representative work by Puig i Cadafalch, which stands out for its rich ornaments. Another unmissable sight is the Casa de la Música (House of Music), whose uniqueness and elegance will leave you flabbergasted. Finally, do not leave without visiting the crypt of the Church of Sant Josep: its magic and spirituality will take your breath away. In Mataró, every step you take will mean a new discovery that invites you to enjoy these Art Nouveau treasures!
Practical information
- Starting point City hall
- Distance: 1.4 km
- Duration: 4 hrs
- Slope: 20 m
Modernisme Tour through Argentona
Stay in the Maresme region and discover the Modernisme Tour through Argentona, which will take you to admire the works of Puig and Cadafalch. You will start at the Plaça del Vendre, where the architect's summer house stands. The tour will surprise you with the stately Casa Garí, an old farmhouse that was turned into a palace, with a theatre, chapel and gardens, as well as the unique Torre d’Aigües del Cros, which rises up with its ceramic trencadís mosaic. You will be charmed by every corner of this tour, as you will get immersed in the splendour of a movement that has left a unique mark on our heritage, thanks in part to Puig i Cadafalch.
Practical information
- Starting point Plaça del Vendre
- Distance: 4.1 km
- Duration: 2 hrs
- Slope: 50 m
Modernisme Tour through Canet de Mar
Without leaving the Maresme region, in Canet de Mar, Modernisme will enchant you with its magic from the outset. Strolling along the seafront, you will discover buildings such as the Ateneu Canetenc, the Casa Roura and the Casa Floris, architectural gems that convey the legacy of Lluís Domènech i Montaner, Puig i Cadafalch and Eduard Ferrés. The tour will also take you to the Domènech i Montaner House Museum, where you can visit his summer home and the studio where he worked during his final years on such renowned projects as the Palau de la Música Catalana and the Hospital de Sant Pau. The symbolism, winding shapes and elegance of Modernisme you will encounter around every corner in Canet will take you back to a time of artistic splendour, especially if you visit on the first weekend of October, when the Modernisme Fair takes place. However, do not leave this town in the Maresme region without visiting the Santa Florentina Castle. Albeit its Roman origins, it underwent a major refurbishment at the end of the 19th century, when its owner, Ramon de Montaner, commissioned his nephew, Lluís Domènech i Montaner, to restore and extend it, which imbued it with the Art Nouveau look it has today with its stained glass windows, large marble pieces, wrought iron and striking sculptures.
Practical information
- Starting point End of the Sant Domènech stream
- Distance: 5.2 km
- Duration: 3 hrs
- Slope: 100 m
More information:
Turisme Vallès Turisme Vilafranca del Penedès
Turisme Maresme
Visita La Garriga
Cardedeu Turisme
Visit Mataró
Canet Turisme