Gaudí’s path brings together the three buildings he made outside of Catalonia

Barcelona. Last Friday, the Sagrada Familia hosted the presentation of Gaudi’s path project led by those responsible for the only three Gaudí buildings outside Catalonia: El Capricho de Gaudí (Cantabria), the Casa Botines Museum (León) and the Gaudí Palace (Astorga).

This event is part of the commemoration of the centenary of the death of the brilliant architect, an event that has turned 2026 into a Year of Special Public Interest.

The director of the Gaudí chair and curator of the Gaudí Year, Galdric Santana, was in charge of opening the event that highlights the value of these three monuments that, “without a doubt, connect with the motto of the Gaudí Year: the invisible order.” According to Santana, they are an obvious example of how, through a scientific analysis of Antoni Gaudí’s work, this connection between all the elements of his legacy can be appreciated.

His intervention was followed by the announcement of the key axes of Gaudi’s path as well as the challenges, individual and common, that these three buildings address.

The project is based on two icons of international recognition: the figure of Gaudí and the Camino de Santiago, which runs in two of its versions through the territories of Cantabria, León and Astorga (Camino del Norte and Camino Francés).

For their part, the lines of action that serve as an umbrella for the project focus on three fundamental axes: the physical path, in reference to the cultural journey that unites the three museums; the axis of knowledge, from which we want to bring the figure of Gaudí closer to young people and children, and the philanthropic one, whose mission is to support children and youth talent around artistic and cultural disciplines through awards and scholarships.

During the presentation, the director of Gaudí’s whim, Carlos Mirapeix, expressed the “honor of being here today, in the most recognized work of the brilliant architect”, to present a project that aims to “give visibility and value the Gaudinian treasures that Cantabria and León house.”

For his part, José María Viejo, general director of Fundos (entity that manages the Casa Botines Museum), explained the main milestones of the program planned for 2026 for the three buildings, as well as the first joint actions that they will undertake this year.

The director of the Gaudí Palace, Víctor Murías, reinforced the importance of the link that unites the three buildings and their common purpose of promoting a broader and more rigorous knowledge of Gaudí’s work.

The closing of the event was carried out by the delegate president of the Construction Board of the Temple Expiatori of the Sagrada Familia, Esteve Camps, who highlighted the collaboration agreement of the Sagrada Familia with Gaudi’s path.

Among the activities that are being designed are the exchange of temporary exhibitions, the loans and deposits of pieces, the co-production of cultural and scientific actions, and collaboration in educational and archival matters.

The signing of this unprecedented agreement in 2025 was a milestone for the four buildings that, together, receive more than 5 million visits a year. In conclusion to the public presentation, everyone highlighted the positive impact that developing events in a coordinated manner will have, especially in the face of this special year.

The Caprice

This building, built between 1883 and 1885, is an early work of a young Gaudí, barely 30 years old, who managed to create this particular “architectural sunflower” where function and form are perfectly integrated. The main purpose of the house-museum is to protect and conserve a unique heritage through an innovative, dynamic and close cultural management model.

Home Booties

Main museum project of the Obra Social de Castilla y León Foundation (Fundos). As a 21st century museum, in full contact with the society around it, it aspires to be a center for research, conservation and exhibition of its historical-artistic heritage.

The Casa Botines Gaudí Museum in León is also a dynamic reference for cultural life in its area of ​​​​operation and is projected as the main museum in the world about the life and work of Antoni Gaudí.

The Palace

Conceived as an episcopal residence for the bishop of Astorga, Gaudí’s Palace is one of the most unique works of the Catalan architect.

Started in 1889, the building reflects Gaudí’s moment of full creative maturity, who knew how to interpret medieval tradition and the Leonese landscape with his own language, where stone, light and symbology dialogue in a harmonious way. Today, the Palace houses within its walls a living museum that preserves and disseminates a valuable artistic heritage, committed to the preservation of Gaudin’s work.

The Holy Family

Designed by Gaudí, its construction began in 1882; It is a reflection of his artistic plenitude. During the architect’s life, the crypt, the apse and, partially, the Nativity façade were completed, of which Gaudí only saw the tower of Saint Barnabas crowned. Upon his death, his assistant, Domingo Sugrañes, took charge of the construction, and then it has been under the direction of other architects, with Jordi Faulí as director of the works since 2012.

The temple was declared a minor basilica on November 7, 2010 by Pope Benedict XVI. This 2026, the completion of the last of the six central towers, that of Jesus Christ, with a height of 172.5 meters, is scheduled.