Announcing City Icons: Barcelona & Beyond

Catalonia Uncovered: A Journey Through Architectural Icons

Embark on an exclusive architectural journey, a curated experience for the design aficionado, a full-weekend of private tours through Barcelona’s architectural jewels of the 20th century, with excursions to Reus, Mont-roig del Camp and Canet de Mar to discover the marvels from Domènech i Montaner to Antonio Coderch. Led by experts in architectural history, this journey unveils the elegance of Catalan Modernism, the artistry of Art Deco, and the purity of early Rationalism. Luxurious transport, exclusive access, and refined culinary interludes make this tour a celebration of both culture and lifestyle.

• Casa Navàs.
• Casa Milà / La Pedrera.
• Barcelona Pavilion.
• Casa Bloc.
• Mas Miró.
• Casa Moratiel.
• Gustavo Gili Headquarters.
• Casa Rovira.
• Walden 7.
• Casa Taller Corberó.

• Casa Navàs.
• Casa Milà / La Pedrera.
• Barcelona Pavilion.
• Casa Bloc.
• Mas Miró.
• Casa Moratiel.
• Gustavo Gili Headquarters.
• Casa Rovira.
• Walden 7.
• Casa Taller Corberó.

Choose ease, inspiration, and exclusive access
Join an international community of architecture, design, and heritage enthusiasts and discover the true added value of traveling together.All you have to do is join us — we take care of the rest. We will guide you to outstanding architectural highlights north and south of Barcelona, places you would rarely reach on your own. Even more special: you gain exclusive access to private homes, normally closed to the public. Experience architecture in context, exchange ideas with like-minded professionals and aficionados, and enjoy a carefully curated journey that combines knowledge, comfort, and inspiration.

One journey. Exceptional architecture. An international network.
Step into the world of 20th-century Spanish architecture and discover its most iconic creations. From the visionary works of Domènech i Montaner, Puig i Cadafalch, and Gaudí, to the modernist and contemporary masterpieces of Sert, Mies van der Rohe, Sostres i Maluquer, Joaquim Gili and Francesc Bassó, Coderch, Bofill, Corberó, this journey celebrates the bold ideas and enduring beauty that shaped Spain’s architectural landscape.

Register now IN THIS LINK to catch the Early Bird discount!
Offer expires 31 January.

Itinerary

Friday, May 29th

• Casa Milà / La Pedrera.
• Casa Milà / La Pedrera.
• Casa Milà / La Pedrera.
• Cases Barates del Bon Pastor.
• Cases Barates del Bon Pastor.
• Cases Barates del Bon Pastor.
• Gustavo Gili Headquarters.
• Gustavo Gili Headquarters.
• Barcelona Pavilion.
• Barcelona Pavilion.
• Barcelona Pavilion.

• Casa Milà / La Pedrera.
• Casa Milà / La Pedrera.
• Casa Milà / La Pedrera.
• Cases Barates del Bon Pastor.
• Cases Barates del Bon Pastor.
• Cases Barates del Bon Pastor.
• Gustavo Gili Headquarters.
• Gustavo Gili Headquarters.
• Barcelona Pavilion.
• Barcelona Pavilion.
• Barcelona Pavilion.

La Pedrera Apartment
Casa Milà/La Pedrera also known as La Pedrera is a key milestone in Gaudí’s work, transforming architecture into a vibrant synthesis of art, nature, technology, and imagination—while simultaneously pointing toward the architecture of the 20th century. The building is inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, exemplifying Gaudí’s visionary approach to form and structure.

Cases Barates del Bon Pastor
The Cases Barates del Bon Pastor illustrate early 20th-century Barcelona’s efforts to address housing shortages for working-class families. These buildings reflect both hope and limitation—innovative social solutions alongside challenges of quality and marginalization. They offer a crucial perspective on the intersection of architecture, social policy, and everyday life.

LUNCH

Barcelona 2026 World Capital of Architecture
The main venue for Barcelona 2026 World Capital of Architecture is set within the striking Rationalist former Headquarters of the Gustavo Gili (Editorial GG) Publishing House, 1954 – 1961 designed by Joaquim Gili and Francesc Bassó. Editorial GG, the foremost Spanish-language architecture publisher of the 20th century—a landmark that embodies both architectural innovation and the rich history of modern design. A big model of the city of Barcelona will be exhibited here and exhibitons about the future expansion plans for the city.

Welcome Reception Mies van der Rohe Pavilion
Join us for our welcome reception at the iconic Mies van der Rohe Pavilion, home to Lilly Reich’s legendary furniture designed for the 1929 World Exhibition (demolished in 1930, lovingly rebuilt in 1986 by Barcelona’s architects). A true architectural masterpiece!

Saturday, May 30th

• Mas Miró.
• Mas Miró.
• Mas Miró.
• Casa Navàs.
• Casa Navàs.
• Casa Navàs.
• Casa Moratiel.
• Casa Moratiel.
• Casa Moratiel.
• Walden 7.
• Walden 7.
• Walden 7.

• Mas Miró.
• Mas Miró.
• Mas Miró.
• Casa Navàs.
• Casa Navàs.
• Casa Navàs.
• Casa Moratiel.
• Casa Moratiel.
• Casa Moratiel.
• Walden 7.
• Walden 7.
• Walden 7.

Casa Navàs
Casa Navàs (1907) in Reus, designed by Lluís Domènech i Montaner, is a landmark of Catalan Modernisme. Conceived as a total work of art, it integrates architecture, interiors, furniture, mosaics, stained glass, and lighting, collaborating with leading craftsmen. Unlike Gaudí’s sculptural approach, Domènech combines rational structure with ornament that grows naturally from the architecture. The house features open, light-filled interiors and a strong connection between inside and outside. Rooted in Catalan identity, it uses local materials and motifs. Exceptionally well preserved, Casa Navàs influenced Modernisme and European Art Nouveau, uniting craftsmanship, space, and cultural symbolism in a coherent vision.

Mas Miró
Mas Miró, the rural estate in Mont-roig del Camp, holds profound significance in Joan Miró’s oeuvre. It was both a personal sanctuary and a creative laboratory where he engaged with nature, light, and Catalan landscape, which deeply influenced his artistic vocabulary. The estate inspired his experimentation with abstraction, organic forms, and vibrant color, bridging figuration and surrealism. Many of his iconic motifs—stars, birds, and celestial symbols—emerged here, reflecting a dialogue between environment and imagination. Mas Miró symbolizes the fusion of domestic life and artistic exploration, anchoring his modernist innovations in the intimate, tactile realities of his native landscape.

LUNCH

Casa Moratiel
Casa Moratiel, designed by Josep Maria Sostres i Maluquer (1957) in Esplugues de Llobregat, is a landmark of Catalan rationalist modernism after Spain’s autarkic period. The house embodies modernist principles with a single-story plan centered on a glazed garden patio, open sightlines, and a walkable roof echoing Le Corbusier. Its steel-column grid, free-standing walls, and precise detailing showcase Sostres’ dialogue with international modernism. Recently restored by Batlle i Roig Arquitectura, the firm also built its impressive new studio just steps away — both of which we will visit.

Walden 7
Walden 7, in Sant Just Desvern (1978), is an innovative housing complex by architects Ricardo and Anna Bofill. With 446 apartments arranged as a vertical city, it features courtyards, corridors, bridges, and patios that foster community while preserving privacy. Bold façades, geometric forms, and vibrant colors create a dramatic, sculptural effect, blending architectural rationality with artistic expression. Walden 7 was conceived as an experiment in social living, offering a new model for collective housing. Today, it remains a landmark of modern architecture, showing how high-density urban living can combine interaction, autonomy, and striking design.

• Casa Milà / La Pedrera.
• Casa Milà / La Pedrera.
• Casa Milà / La Pedrera.
• Cases Barates del Bon Pastor.
• Cases Barates del Bon Pastor.
• Cases Barates del Bon Pastor.
• Gustavo Gili Headquarters.
• Gustavo Gili Headquarters.
• Barcelona Pavilion.
• Barcelona Pavilion.
• Barcelona Pavilion.

• Casa Milà / La Pedrera.
• Casa Milà / La Pedrera.
• Casa Milà / La Pedrera.
• Cases Barates del Bon Pastor.
• Cases Barates del Bon Pastor.
• Cases Barates del Bon Pastor.
• Gustavo Gili Headquarters.
• Gustavo Gili Headquarters.
• Barcelona Pavilion.
• Barcelona Pavilion.
• Barcelona Pavilion.

Casa Taller Corberó
The home and studio of Catalan sculptor Xavier Corberó (1935–2017) in Esplugues de Llobregat near Barcelona, is a fascinating creation. Historically a private sanctuary closed to the public, this hidden jewel will finally open its doors for the upcoming Iconic Houses encounter in May. Looking ahead to 2026, Mesura and Vasto are preparing to carry this legacy forward, transforming the space into a vibrant beacon of art and culture. Casa Taller is poised for a dynamic new chapter: beginning in 2026, Mesura and Vasto will take up the baton, guiding this architectural gem into an era of renewed artistic and cultural expression.

More than a house or studio, it is a labyrinthine complex of buildings, courtyards, staircases, and patios, where art and architecture merge. Walls, arches, and stairs become sculptural elements, blurring the line between living, working, and experiencing art. Built over nearly fifty years, it reflects Corberó’s vision and personality and became a hub for artists and intellectuals. Corberó's space is a timeless, poetic universe — a home, a studio, a sculpture, and a labyrinth all in one.

Sunday, May 31st

• Casa Bloc.
• Casa Bloc.
• Casa Bloc.
• Casa Rovira.
• Casa Rovira.
• Casa Rovira.

• Casa Bloc.
• Casa Bloc.
• Casa Bloc.
• Casa Rovira.
• Casa Rovira.
• Casa Rovira.

Casa Bloc
Casa Bloc (1939), by Josep Lluís Sert and GATCPAC, is a landmark of Catalan modernism and social housing. Built as workers’ apartments, its light-filled, functional design and communal spaces reflect the modernist ideal of architecture serving society. The zigzag layout ensures ventilation and sunlight in every apartment, breaking with the dark, overcrowded housing typical of the era. Though never fully completed due to the Spanish Civil War, Casa Bloc remains a symbol of progressive Republican ideals and a tangible reminder of 1930s hopes for a modern, socially conscious Barcelona.

LUNCH

Casa Rovira
Casa Rovira, designed by Antonio Coderch in 1967, is an icon of Catalan modernism on the coast of Canet de Mar, just north of Barcelona. Created as a holiday home for the Rovira family, the house embodies the Mediterranean way of life, with sea, light, and space as its guiding principles. A visit to the main house, including lunch on the terrace, is part of the City Icons: Barcelona & Beyond program (29–31 May)—a rare opportunity to experience the holiday lifestyle of Barcelonese families up close. The apartment beneath the swimming pool is available as a holiday rental and includes use of the pool and the main house terrace.

We conclude our journey through Barcelona and the Catalan coast with an exclusive visit to this private residence — a key location in the acclaimed Catalan film Casa en flames. Join us for a journey that celebrates the past while sparking ideas for the future. With Europe in full bloom during spring, why not extend your adventure and pair Barcelona with other cultural highlights, like the Venice Biennale?

Register now IN THIS LINK to catch the Early Bird discount!
Offer expires 31 January.

Publication date January 16, 2026