The Art Noveau Site was officially opened at the end of February 2014 after four years of refurbishment work. Of its twelve pavilions, six have been finished and two more are currently undergoing restoration. Refurbishment of the buildings has been governed by three fundamental criteria: recovery of the original constructions, transformation of the pavilions into functional work spaces and the application of sustainability and energy saving parameters.
The Hospital of the Santa Creu was founded in Ciutat Vella in 1401 and was the basis for the present hospital which is Europe's second oldest and used continuously to this day.
In 1902 a new hospital was built to meet the needs of a city at the height of demographic growth. Thanks to banker Paul Gil, Barcelona-born, who was living in Paris donated a huge amount of money to the hospital to expand the present site . Domenech i Montaner designed the hospital as a community for those suffering from plagues and contagious diseases. His concept was for a group of individual redbrick pavilion-wards, connected by a network of underground tunnels to enable staff to move patients around easily. Domenech i Montaner believed in the theraperutic value of light and beautiful surroundings. Each building has a different design, with florid ceramics, sculpture, mosaics and stained glass design. Between the buildings are rose and herb gardens. They are all designed to give the feeling of a small town.
Research and cultural associations will move into the old hospital pavilions as each are completed. The whole work is scheduled to be finished by 2017.
The central facade of the Administration building was designed as a monumental altarpiece. The sculpture elements by Paul Gargallo - four angels preresenting the three Virtues and the Works, the reliefs on the seond floor and Eusebi Arnau- the great historical figures on the corners- establish an allegorical and symbolic discourse with the monument to Paul Gil, executed by Josep Casan, of great beauty and depth.
The Pavilion is topped by the clock tower which has become one of Barcelona's iconic landmarks.
Running around the body of the building, are sixteen mosaic panals depicting several episode of the hisotry of the hospital .
The original project contemplated the construction of 48 pavilions but was eventually reduced to a total of 27, of which 16 are modernista. Of these 12 were built by the architect and the remainder by his son. Domenech i Montaner was allocated a site equivalent to 9 Eixample blocks on which he built isolated pavilions , each one assigned a specific medical speciality.
The hospital garden concept was a new one when the site was built,since at that time open-air areas for patients' enjoyment and wellbeing were regarded as unnecessary. The architect integrated nature into his complex, designing two gardens per pavilion . Domenech's aim was to create a cheerful, optomistic atmosphere that would alleviate the pain and suffering of patients and their families and contribute to the patients recovery.
We were allowed to enter two other buildings during our visit. One was the Sant Rafael Pavilion. It serves as an example of what the former infirmary pavilions were like. Domenech conceived a human-scale layout for these buildings:each one consisted of a broad lengthwise ward for the hospitisation of patients; a circular 'day room' in which patients who were not confined to bed could be with their families; several independent compartments for terminal patients; and doctor's consulting rooms and other services. The pavilion was named after Rafael Robell, who together with his daughter funded the construction.
A picture of the ward as it would have been when occupied by patients.
Our last visit was to the Sant Jordi Pavilion which had an exhibit of the resoration process and other temporary exhibitions.
I've tried to tie the writing with the pictures but now I'm just going to show some pictures of various pavilions. The hospital is beautiful and I swear if people had been able to visit it they would have probably prayed for an illness to get admitted.
I thought this was absolutely great and was posted in this pavilion regarding the renovation of the hospital.
" We might say that the renovation of the Art Noveau Site has followed medical protocol. The patient was first examined, then a diagnosis made and finally treatment applied. The initial diagnosis, following a Master Plan(2006-2008) , was coordinated by the architects Francisco Javier Asarta and directed by Xavier Guitart. They focused on a primary task - to ensure that there would be no futher deterioration of the pavilions - unaware, however, that everywhere things were much worse than previously assumed, at 'first sight'. After examing the patient
( the buildings) it was concluded that the illness was serious:the iron structures were rusting, and the pavilions had suffered a number of interventions that had not been at all beneficial to their inner well-being: buildings which originally contained two floors now had four; windows had been added and others hidden;heating air and conditioning units had been tacked on; mosaics were lost or badly damaged...The Site was in critical condition. Suddenly all of the pathologies accumulated over nearly 100 years came to light:deterioraion both natural and man-made. Following the diagnosis, the patient entered "surgery". During the operation, which lasted four years and was divided into several phases, the patient revealed further surprises, the discovery of theretofore unknown spaces and details,but also of the absence of elements that were believed to exist hidden among the spaces. The task, is not yet finished. Of the twelve pavilions , six have been finished and two more are still under renovation. The operation continues on this unique complex and UNESCO World Heritage Site."
I had mentioned to Sandi as we heading for the hospital that we were missing the dance of the Sardana at the Cathedral which takes place every Sunday around noon. I had completely forgotten about it and since Sandi is leaving on Saturday she would miss it. As luck would have it it was a special celebration at the hospital and the Sardana was being danced on Site.
It was such fun to hear the music and see all different age groups dance. To some its a highly symbolic, politically charged action representing Catalan unity - but for most it's just a fun chance to kick up their heels. Holding hands, dancers raise their arms -slow motion, as they hop and sway gracefully to music. The rest of Spain mocks this lazy circle dance but considering what it takes for a culture to survive within another culture's country, it is a stirring display of local pride and patriotism. During the 36 years of Franco dictatorship, the sardana was forbidden.
It was such fun to see the people dance - young, old, couples, singles, men and women alike. ( I have posted a video of the dance on Facebook. )
No comments :
Post a Comment