What is Catalan Modernism and where did it come from?

If the shape of today's Barcelona influenced some architectural style, so it is definitely Catalan modernism. Its main representative was none other than Antoni Gaudí.

The beautiful ceiling of the Palau de la Música Catalana concert hall

As the name suggests, this is a unique style originating from Spain's Catalonia and Barcelona is considered its world cradle. 

How did Catalan modernism actually come about?

• Catalan modernism is the Spanish answer to the powerful secession movement in Europe and America between 1890–1910. 
• The year 1888 is considered the beginning of modernism in Catalonia, when the first World Exhibition took place in Barcelona and on that occasion several representative buildings such as Triumphal arch (Arc de Triomf) or Castle of the Three Dragons v City park (today it serves as one of the buildings of the Museum of Natural Sciences).
• The driving force behind this style was the Catalan bourgeoisie: wealthy businessmen and industrialists (often from the textile industry) who followed European trends and wanted to show others their wealth and status through lavishly decorated and often extravagant buildings
• Although modernism originated in Barcelona, it spread very quickly to other parts of Spain such as Valencia or Cantabria.  

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If you would like to see the best modernist gems in Barcelona for yourself, get a special discount card Barcelona Card Modernist, which includes entrances to 10 architecturally amazing monuments.

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What is modernism and what are its characteristics? 

It is an artistic and architectural style, which has its foundation precisely in Art Nouveau and adds to it the influences of many other styles and styles: Renaissance, Gothic, Baroque or perhaps Oriental and Moorish architecture. Although all of this may sound incongruous at first listen, the Catalan architects and artists managed to ingeniously combine everything into a unique, interesting, novel and, above all, functional form. 

Modernist Casa de les Punxes (Casa Terrades) it looks like a fairytale castle in the middle of the city

In art and architecture, Catalan modernism is most often manifested in the following things: 

• strong inspiration from nature – this is most noticeable on Gaudí's buildings: irregular shapes, motifs and shapes reminiscent of fauna and flora, the use of arches and curves...

• use of colors – precisely because one of the main inspirations was nature, you can recognize modernist works in abundance by their color: it is lively and colorful just like the world around us. You can most often perceive colors through brightly colored stained glass windows (Sagrada Família) or perhaps mosaics (Park Guell), which are part of many modernist buildings.

• thoughtful details - you can recognize a true modernist building by the ingenuity with which attention is paid to every detail: they often have rich decoration and various ornaments, which are most often iron, glass or perhaps ceramic. Moreover, during construction, the architect often focused not only on the exterior, but also on the interior: you can see this, for example, in Casa Batlló, where Gaudí was responsible, for example, for the selection of decorated doors and their panelling.

• respect for craftsmanship – unlike other styles and styles, modernist architects had great respect and admiration for craftsmen and artists. They then often called for help, and thanks to them, many buildings have all the various details, such as sculptures, mosaics or ornaments. Thanks to close cooperation, the results of their work are an integral part of the plan of individual buildings and structures, and everything works perfectly as a whole. 

Sant Pau complex: What used to be a hospital until recently is now a modernist complex registered on the UNESCO list

Modernism in Barcelona

Buildings created during Catalan Modernism are most often found in quarter Eixample. It is precisely its construction and development that traces the rise of modernism as a unique architectural style.

To get a good idea of ​​it, I recommend viewing the exteriors and interiors of these buildings: Sagrada Família, Casa Batlló, La Pedrera (Casa Milà), Park Güell, Casa de les Punxes, Casa amatller, Sant Pau modernist complex, Palau de la Música Catalana, Casa Lleó Morera, Casa Comalat, Monumental Cascade v city ​​park

The Teresian College (Col·legi de les Teresianes) in Barcelona by Gaudí

Map: the most beautiful modernist buildings in Barcelona

In the previous paragraph, I gave you some tips on modernist places that you can see in the city. However, this is only a small fraction of what Barcelona has to offer - there are hundreds of them in total! But it's not all just classic heritage buildings and mansions: there are restaurants, cafes, hotels, or otherwise completely ordinary places that are somehow influenced by Catalan modernism. 

If you are interested in this topic, I recommend exploring the so-called Barcelona Modernisme Route, which is a walk presenting the best places and objects precisely in the style of Catalan modernism. 

If you buy a printed guide, you can go on a journey through the city and follow the red signs to guide you along the way. 

You will know that you are on the right Barcelona Route Modernisme thanks to the red markings in the pavement

Get a discount on the best modernist monuments

If you would like to see the best modernist gems in Barcelona for yourself, get a special discount card Barcelona Card Modernist, which includes entrances to 10 architecturally amazing monuments.

Buy or view more information >>>

Representatives of Catalan modernism

Architecture

Antoni Gaudí, Lluís Domènech Montaner, Josep Puig i Cadafalch, Josep Maria Jujol, Josep Fontserè Mestre, Juli Batllevell, Francesc Berenguer, Joan Rubio Bellver, Josep Vilaseca, Antoni Rovira and Trias, Salvador Valeri Pupurull, Pere Falqués Urpi, Carles Buïgas

Painting

Ramon Casas, Santiago Rusiñol, Francesc Masriera, Joaquim Mir i Trinxet, Alexandre de Riquer, Oleguer Junyent, Miquel Utrillo, Isidre Nonell, Lluís Masriera

Sculptors and artists

Josep Llimona, Eusebi Arnau, Pau Gargallo, Lluís Brú, Gaspar Homar, Apel·les Mestres

Music composers

Isaac Albeniz, Enric Granados, Lluís Millet, Jaume Pahissa