Sant Pau without queues: the 16 pavilions and their tunnels

At the beginning of the 20th century, Domènech i Montaner did something that no one else was doing at the time: he designed a hospital based on the idea that the beauty of the building and the garden helped to heal. He built it on the site of a medieval hospital, and the idea still sounds radical. The complex has 16 pavilions and a network of underground tunnels below. Above ground, the mosaics, colored tiles, and arches make each pavilion a unique piece. Between the pavilions are courtyards and green areas, and they are not just decoration: the architect was convinced that flowers and trees did more for a patient than a sterile environment. It is a masterpiece that is not intimidating, which is rare. UNESCO declared it a World Heritage Site in 1997. The hospital is no longer located here: it has moved to the northeast of the district, and the complex is now open for visitors. Entry is without queues. All sales are final and no refunds are accepted.