Jujol, modernismo and territory

Born in Tarragona, he soon moved to Gracia (Barcelona), where he spent most of his life. However, his repeated stays in La Secuita (Tarragona), especially in summer, reconnected him with his origins and the agricultural, rural, sunny, earthy landscape of Alt Camp, characterised by olive groves and vineyards and dotted with small villages of humble people. This was a great inspiration for his work.

Friend, colleague and collaborator of Gaudí, Jujol worked on numerous buildings by the genius, becoming a key figure in the ornamentation of many of his works.

Jujol stood out for his great talent for drawing, something that we see in his architectural works, mural paintings and furniture, by recycling waste materials. He was a great visionary of poor art.

With this tour we will enter Jujol’s universe and discover this mondernismo gem in Alt Camp region.

The Sanctuary of Montserrat in Montferri

This beautiful church reminds us of Gaudí’s Sagrada Familia. For this reason, it is known as the “replica of the Sagrada Família” or “the other Sagrada Família”. Although it is neither a replica nor dedicated to the Sagrada Familia, the truth is that Jujol was also inspired by the mountain of Montserrat, as well as Gaudí: the vaults at the top of the building remind us of the whimsical shapes of Montserrat.

This sanctuary was the brainchild of a Jesuit from Montferri, who had the idea of building a sanctuary dedicated to Montserrat while he was praying to the Virgin in the chapel of the Basilica of the Monastery of Montserrat.

Daniel Maria Vives, the Jesuit, commissioned Jujol to carry out this project, which began in 1925, but work was interrupted in 1932 and was not resumed until 1990. Thanks to the boost given by the Montferri Town Council, Jujol’s project was completed. The church is a compendium of structural genius and beautiful ornamentation: 42 pillars form its catenary arches, a structure already developed by Gaudí, and more than 1500 stained glass windows form petals throughout the interior of the church, combining the colours blue, red and yellow.

Optionally, to complete our modernismo visit in Alt Camp, I suggest a gastronomic touch: a visit and tasting at the craft beer brewery Les Clandestines, in Montferri.

This small brewery began its activity in 2007, its dedication and relationship with the territory is demonstrated in the use of ingredients from the area: hops, rosemary, honey, etc. Resulting in a local, sustainable and quality product.

Calendar and timetable:

Subject to availability and prior booking.

Price:

Please ask for group rates.

Tickets to the Sanctuary of Montserrat de Montferri: 5€/general admission and 2€/admission for senior citizens and people with disabilities.

Duration:

1 hours approximately.

Languages:

Spanish, Catalan or English:

Difficulty level:

Low.

Accessibility:

All spaces are accessible.

Animals:

Not allowed indoors.