Barcelona’s Modernista Sant Pau site opens free of charge on 15 March for its 625th anniversary

The Recinto Modernista de Sant Pau opens its doors on 15 March. There will be free activities for all ages. Music, exhibitions and games will fill one of Barcelona’s most emblematic spaces. Advance registration is compulsory. A unique opportunity to discover the hospital from inside.

On 15 March, the Recinto Modernista del Hospital de Sant Pau is transformed into a cultural epicentre to celebrate its 625 years of history. Barcelona residents will be able to access one of the city’s most iconic architectural ensembles free of charge, provided they reserve a place online. The day promises experiences for all audiences, from families with children to lovers of music and architecture.

Among the offerings is a commemorative exhibition tracing key moments in the hospital’s history since 1401, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in its evolution across the centuries. An audiovisual work, inspired by the mosaics and vision of Lluís Domènech i Montaner, invites visitors to discover the artistic essence of the complex.

For those seeking an interactive experience, a mobile-accessible clue game has been prepared to explore corners and details of the Modernista space. Families can enjoy storytelling sessions devoted to nurse Adela Simón, at 10:00, 12:00 and 17:00 in the Sala Pau Gil, especially recommended for children aged five and over.

Music will take centre stage with a performance by Cor Vivaldi, offering a special repertoire from 11:00 to 11:45 in the Sala Domènech i Montaner. The Ara Martí Quartet will fill the gardens with jazz, boleros and bossa nova in two performances, at 12:00 and 17:30. In addition, the Fundación Victoria de los Ángeles is organising a lied jam with singers and pianists from 12:30 to 14:00.

The festive atmosphere is completed by a swing session led by BCN Swing, which will enliven the gardens from 13:00 with live music and dancing open to all attendees.

The Recinto Modernista de Sant Pau is much more than a group of historic buildings: it represents the union of art, health and urban life in Barcelona. Conceived by Lluís Domènech i Montaner at the beginning of the 20th century, the space stands out for its ornamental richness and integration into the social fabric of the Eixample. Today, after its restoration, it hosts cultural events and activities open to the public, establishing itself as a reference point for contemporary Barcelona and its commitment to accessible culture.

Updated · 8 March 2026 17:55 Access: reservation required at santpaubarcelona.org (tickets sold out, next dates May/October). Opening hours for the day: 09:30–18:00, small groups (families, adults). Includes the Recinte gardens + key pavilions. Get there by metro: Sagrada Família (L2/L5) or Verdaguer (L4/L5).

More activity details: Adela Simón storytelling (pioneering Sant Pau nurse), Cor Vivaldi ‘From the motet to the sardana’, Ara Martí Quartet bossa nova/jazz, Victoria de los Ángeles lied jam (emerging singers/pianists), BCN Swing open dance. Chronological exhibition since 1401 + mosaic audiovisual.