The Backpackers Hostel Blog

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“The Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau” -Hospital of the Holy Cross and Saint Paul (UNESCO World Heritage Site) dates back to 1401 when six hospitals in the city merged, forming the Hospital de la Santa Creu. With the growth of the city and the advances in medicine in the 19th century, the centre was unable to meet the demands of the time and construction of a new building was proposed.

Thanks to the legacy of Pau Gil, a banker, on January 15, 1902 the first stone of the new building was laid. “Sant Pau” was added to the old name of “la Santa Creu” to honour the wishes of its benefactor. The architect Lluís Domènech i Montaner was commissioned with the project. Over the years, the Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau has become the most significant public building in Catalan modernisme.

600 years of history
Poster designed by Antoni Tàpies for the 600th anniversary
In 2001 the Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau celebrated its 600th anniversary. Since it was first founded in 1401 it has undergone constant development. Its original mission - to serve the poor and pilgrims according to Christian Charity - has evolved to needs of today, to be a community-based, patient-focused reference centre. (Taken from http://www.santpau.es).

Address: Sant Antoni Maria Claret, 167 How to go there

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* Photo taken from www.wikimedia.org

The Benedictine Monk retreat at Montserrat (about one hour North West from Barcelona by train) offers you some of the most spectacular mountain views of Catalunya.

There is a holy grotto where visitations by the Virgin Mary were reported, the World famous Montserrat Choir boys recitals performing Gregorian chants.

There is also one museum, one library, restaurants, one hotel and the beautiful Cathedral where you can see the Virgin of Montserrat known as “La Moreneta”.

How to get to Montserrat by Train:

Take the metro (L1 or L3) to go to Plaça Espanya and there take the Line R5 headed towards Manresa.

Journey is approx one hour. You buy the tickets from Plaça Espanya train station. The combined ticket of train and cable car will cost you 12 euros for a return journey.

There is no entrance fee to the Monastery. Only if you want to view the museum.

Carrer de Sombrerers 6

The Santa Maria del Mar is a Catalan-Gothic church. It was built during the reign of King Jaume II, who also oversaw construction of Barcelona’s cathedral. Begun in 1324, and took only five years to complete.

The architects in charge were Berenguer de Montagut (designer of the building) and Ramón Despuig. At the time, the church was situated on the seashore (hence the name “St. Mary of the Sea”).

Its magnificence was intended to symbolize the naval supremacy of the Kingdom of Aragon. Specifically, the church was built to commemorate the recent conquest of Sardinia.

(Taken from http://www.sacred-destinations.com)

Mon to Fri from 9am to 3:30pm at Palau de la Música Catalan (C/Sant Francesc de Paula 2) 8€ Buy tickets

The Palau de la Música Catalana (Palace of Catalan Music) is one of the world’s most important concert halls. It was designed in the Catalan modernisme style by the architect Lluís Domènech i Montaner.

It was built in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain, between 1905 and 1908 and in 1997 it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

There are 50 minute guided tours (Catalan, Spanish and English*) of the Modernist Concert hall and, when available, Lluís Millet Hall and the Chamber Music Hall.

*English: 10.00, 11.00, 12 noon, 1.00, 2.00 and 3.00 p.m. (4.00, 5.00 and 6.00 p.m.)