Christmas garden opens at Recinte Modernista de Sant Pau

The art nouveau-style buildings of Barcelona's iconic Recinte Modernista de Sant Pau will be illuminated with Christmas lights nightly this week until January 11. 

The former hospital complex, designed by Catalan modernist architect Lluís Domènech i Montaner, is hosting Els Llums de Sant Pau for the fifth year. The festive lights show has drawn more than 800,000 visitors over the last four years. This year, event organizers hope to draw half a million. 

"We are playing with the lights in a way to enhance the beauty of the buildings," said Paula Vitores, Head of Marketing and Communications at Proactiv Entertainment. 

This year's edition consists of 18 interactive stops, including augmented reality displays, a stained glass installation by local artists, and an experience for children designed as "King Balsathazar's Camp." Visitors will be challenged to solve the "Llumienigma," a coded Christmas message with hidden letters. At the Christmas Confessional, they can also record their memories of Els Llums de Sant Pau to take part in a prize raffle. 

"Yesterday we did the first test with friends and family, and the truth is that so far we are collecting super, super interesting stories, and, above all, very emotional ones," said Vitores.

Tickets are on sale for every night excluding December 24, December 31, and January 5. Reduced-price entries for €10 are available on select days.