HOME OF GAUDI: MODERNIST TOUR IN REUS. GAUDI & DOMENECH I MONTANER + Tarragona
- Personal pick-up & drop-off : time and place that suits you best
- Entrance fee Gaudí Centre, Casa Navas, Pere Mata Institute and Roman Forum in Tarragona
- Luxury transport
- Licensed tour guide
- Tour Length: 8 hours
- Guided visit in Reus and Sitges.
- Tasting of Vermouth from Reus
Overview
Reus is the city in which Antoni Gaudí was born, and is therefore deemed to be the cradle of Modernism. It preserves some places frequented by the genius that was Gaudi during the 16 years he lived here before leaving for Barcelona, or which were related in some way to his life.
The Modernist Route is a pleasant stroll through the centre of Reus, enabling visitors to view the most interesting modernist facades in the city. In order to admire the facades of the 26 buildings chosen, visitors should follow the route and stop in front of the buildings identified with a plaque, featuring the name of the building, the date of construction and the name of the architect.
Of special note on this route is the work of Lluís Domènech i Montaner (Institut Pere Mata, Casa Navàs, Casa Rull and Casa Gasull), which due to the elegance of his style influenced other modernist buildings in Reus
Tarragona sits between the beautiful sandy beaches and crystal clear waters of Catalonia’s “Golden Coast The city has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Two thousand years ago, Tarraco was the capital of ‘Hispania Citerior’, one of three Roman provinces on the Iberian Peninsula.
ITINERARY
You will be picked up at your hotel in Barcelona and we will drive south-west, along the valley of river Llobregat. We will drive past several small towns, crops and mountains. After approximately 1h20m minutes we will reach the Modernist city of Reus. We will have a journey of approximately one hour and twenty minutes to reach the heart of Reus. We will cross one of the most important wine regions of Spain and we will pass through Villafranca del Penedes and San Sadurny de Noia, considered the capital of cava, where we will find fantastic cathedrals of Wine of modernist style, until we reach our destination.
In Calle San Vicente, 4 we will find where architect Antoni Gaudí was born on 25 June 1852 and lived during his childhood and youth in Reus. It was the home of his parents, Francesc Gaudí Serra and Antonia Cornet Bertran. A plate of considerable dimensions remembers Gaudí’s residence in the area.
In this place there was the boiler of his maternal grandfather. The birthplace of Antoni Gaudí is private and can not be visited. Near the house, at the confluence of the streets of Santa Ana and the bitterness, is the sculpture “Child Gaudí” work of Arthur Aldomà 2002, representing the architect during his playing childhood. The sculpture was a tribute to the city of Reus in his famous architect, is bronze, 1.10 meters, located in a bank where rests the teenager enjoy playing with golden balls rotating effect.
The best place to start the tour is the iconic and busy Market Square. It is here that we find the Renaissance town hall, a lot of terraces where do the vermouth, and the Gaudí Centre Reus is a center of interpretation of the work of renowned architect, and at the same time claimed the roots of genius. First they will take you upstairs, where a spectacular audiovisual trialogue will introduce in the particular world of the thinker of the Sagrada Familia. Then a door opens, and come into models and reproductions of large fragments of his works. There are also interactive elements to better understand the Gaudi architecture, or the answers to many of the puzzles that have emerged around Antoni Gaudí.
Afer the visit of Gaudi Center Reus we will have a tipical local famouse drink, a delicius Vermouth cortesy of Gaudi Tours.
After our drink break and also located in the same square, a beautiful corner house: the Navàs house. Domenech i Montaner, one of the great names of Modernism, designed this building with ground floor for business Joaquim Navàs tissue -trade that today still exists-and housing. Furniture, glass, ceramics… all of modernist aesthetics, and turning this house possibly in one of the most beautiful in the country.
Then we will have a good lunch in a tipical Reus restaurant where we can enjoid a tradicional menú with local products. Then afer a walk free time to discover the city or shops.
Make the path of Modernism will serve not only to know the buildings of this architectural era, but also to discover the streets of the capital of Lower Camp and squares. Immediately you will notice that it is a city with an intense commercial activity, possibly more than the Tarragona area, with dozens of shops in the downtown streets, a centenarian and family, and others that look signing international brands. A good example of commercial vitality is the street then we take off the Market Square, the Monterols. This is what leads to the Plaza de Prim, where the Fortuny Theater and the famous sculpture of General on the horse. Before reaching the square in that street, we find two Art Nouveau buildings: the Laguna and tent houses. Both of Pere Caselles i Tarrats.
After enjoying free time we will go to The Pere Mata Institute. We have not gone to school along the city walking route because it is a bit off the streets through which we have passed, about two kilometers, we will go by car. Under the baton of Montaner, one can say that this psychiatric institute, consisting of several pavilions, is a clear precedent of the Hospital de Sant Pau in Barcelona. But that is a precedent not mean you have to envy him! And if not enter the pavilion 6, De Distinguished, and you will realize why. This site was designed to accommodate patients with high purchasing power, with all amenities; here you will enjoy with stained glass windows containing, imitations of Roman mosaics, murals in the noble halls, parks and lamps… A modernist luxury, the final icing on the visit.
After this exciting journey into the past we will visit another town, one with a colorful, idyllic brand of charm and a prevailing essence of Modernism.
Tarragona sits between the beautiful sandy beaches and crystal clear waters of Catalonia’s “Golden Coast.” The city has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Two thousand years ago, Tarraco was the capital of ‘Hispania Citerior’, one of three Roman provinces on the Iberian Peninsula. Tarraco’s amphitheatre had an exquisite setting, carved into a steep slope between the Roman walls and the Mediterranean. Discover Pont del Diable or Aqueduct with 36 arches and rises to 27 metres from the valley floor, Roman walls or Cathedral.
ADDITIONAL INFO
- This is private tour up to 6 people per group, if you are more than 6 email us at info@gauditours.net
- Comfortable clothes and shoes are recommended as there is some walking involved.
- If you have reduced mobility, please contact us before booking. We do our best to welcome everyone on board!
WHAT WILL YOU SEE
Reus: Reus is the birthplace of famous people throughout history as architect Antoni Gaudi, the painter Mariano Fortuny, the sculptor Joan Rebull or General Joan Prim, among others, that have allowed him to have a heritage of modernist buildings and a range of cultural activities and facilities of the highest order.
Nearly eighty listed buildings make a spectacular showcase of modernist architecture, designed arquitectescom Lluis Domenech i Montaner and Pere Caselles and Joan Rubio i Bellver, among others. The visit provides Modernism and knowledge of these gems, including the Pere Mata houses Navàs, Rull and Gasull, all works of Domenech i Montaner, considered one of the best architects of European Modernism.
Gaudí Center: Located in the historic center of the city, the Gaudí Center is a new performance space that allows audiences of all ages to explore the formation of his creative genius and understanding for teaching the secrets of its architecture. Through multiple resources (audiovisuals, interactive models, sets, personal …) visitors go into the world to enjoy a participatory manner, opening the senses and mind to new experiences.
Casa Navàs: Designed by the architect Lluis Domenech i Montaner, Casa Navàs is its uniqueness among the finest examples of Art Nouveau in Europe. Built between 1901 and 1907, and located in the heart of the city, Domenech i Montaner designed by Joaquim Navàs a building that housed the new housing and business premises of his client, which showed a Market Square imposing stone facade with a tower located in the corner.
To ensure proper lighting inside the building, Domenech was screened patio to the west, thanks to which gave the house a third front which opened windows, and at the same time enables the overhead lighting store downstairs.One of the salient features of the house Navas is its magnificent interior, which remains intact, thanks to the care of their owners.
Pere Mata Institute: In 1898 began the construction of the Pere Mata Psychiatric Institute, one of the major projects of the architect Lluis Domenech i Montaner, which mark the beginning of the brilliant modernist era lived Reus. From that moment, Domenech performs other buildings here and the spirit of Modernism hard extends throughout the city. Pere Mata Institute, built in the whole scheme of the pavilions was the forerunner of the Hospital de Sant Pau in Barcelona, and today is considered one of the jewels of Modernism. Pavilion “of the distinguished” is the ornamental richness of the greatest artistic value of the whole hospital because it preserves the spectacular decorative repertoire of Modernism. It is the only flag that can be visited and there he performed various cultural events.
Roman Forum: was the hub of daily life. A vast square, it was lined by the most important buildings in the city: the curia, the basilica, temples and numerous shops. Unfortunately, much of Tarraco’s forum was destroyed as a result of urban expansion in the 19th century. Today only a portion of the basilica, a large building divided into three naves separated by columns, remains. Another section of the ruins that has survived and can be visited reveals the back of the capital city’s temple and several streets and homes.
The Roman circus: was the site of horse-drawn chariot races, usually between two-horse chariots, known as bigae, or four horse chariots, known as quadrigae. Tarragona’s circus is one of the best conserved in the entire Western world, despite the fact that much of the structure remains hidden under a series of 19th century buildings. Currently, the eastern side can be visited, including the decorative façade and stands, the Sant Hermenegild vault, and those on Carrer Enrajolat. Another section has been uncovered in Plaça Sedassos and Carrer Ferrers, and several vaults can also still be seen along Carrer Trinquet Vell and in Plaça de la Font.
The Amphitheatre: was used for entertainment, including fights between wild beasts, races, public executions and gladiatorial combat. Tarraco’s amphitheatre was built at the turn of the 2nd century A.D. and underwent alterations in 221 A.D., as recorded in the 140-metre inscription that crowns the podium, the longest such inscription in the empire. Today, a heavily eroded section of the northern stands carved directly into the rock survives, as does a section of the southern stands, supported by concrete vaults. The Amphitheatre was also the site of the martyrdom of Saint Fructuosus and his deacons in 259 A.D. To commemorate the event, a Visigoth basilica was built on the site at the end of the 6th century, over which the medieval church of Santa Maria del Miracle was subsequently established in the 12th century.
Penedés region is one of the most important wine and cava regions in Catalonia. Penedés land is between the sea and the mountains, and this influence of the sun and the sea makes that Penedés region is considered one of the country’s best wine-producing regions after the Rioja, it is also one of the most ancient viticulture areas in Europe.
WHY GAUDÍ TOURS?
- Skip line at all top sites. No need to pre-purchase tickets yourself.
- Expert in Gaudí and Modernism
- Professional and fully licensed local guides
- Totally flexible.
- Personalized visit adapting to your characteristics, age, condition or interests.
- Small Group preference (1 – 9 people). We use individual radio guide for each assistant with big group.
- No burdens, no agglomerations, no rush.
- Travel tips from friends: recommendations to help you plan the rest of your stay in Barcelona.
