Top Cultural Visits in 2026: A Journey Through Modernism and the Legacy of Pau Casals
December 2025
In 2026, Catalonia will experience an exceptional year with the celebration of major cultural milestones.
First, the 100th anniversary of the death of Antoni Gaudí, the undisputed genius of Catalan Modernism, and Barcelona’s designation as World Capital of Architecture—two events that will place Modernism and Catalan architecture at the center of the cultural stage. And, on the other hand, the 150th anniversary of the birth of Pau Casals, a universal figure in music and a ambassador of peace.
It is in this context that Penedès emerges as a privileged corner of Catalonia to complete this architectural, musical, and emotional journey. From bourgeois houses and Modernist wineries to the Pau Casals Museum in El Vendrell, this enoregion offers a cultural experience that celebrates great moments of our history, art, and heritage.
Penedès. One story. A thousand ways to live it.
If Barcelona is the grand scenario of Modernism, Penedès region is its most secret chamber: a place where the transformative revolution of the early 20th century took root among factories, wineries, stately homes, and public buildings.
In 2026, when the world turns its gaze to Catalonia to follow Gaudí’s legacy, Penedès offers the opportunity to understand how that same creative spirit permeated the region.
Modernist wineries. In the Penedès Wine Route, Modernism takes on its own form in venues where architecture and vineyards engage in an exceptional dialogue. The work of Puig i Cadafalch at Codorníu is an iconic example: a building that symbolizes the alliance between nature and human effort, becoming a stone tribute to the silence of cava. A little further on, at Ludens Winery, Masia Grabuach—remodeled by the same architect in 1920—shows how the Modernist style blends perfectly with rural life.
You also have the chance to visit the winery and stay overnight at Bolet Casa Modernista, a restored gem among vineyards. Other Modernist elements can be found in wineries such as Freixenet, Caves Rovellats, Mascaró, or Oriol Rossell—living testimonies of a Modernism deeply linked to the wine culture of the region.
Modernist routes. Vilafranca del Penedès, Gelida, Sant Sadurní d’Anoia, and Santa Margarida i els Monjos offer itineraries among different Modernist houses—some guided in Catalan/Spanish and requiring prior booking, others you can explore on your own. The Penedès Wine Route also provides guided services for Modernist tours for groups. And if you want to travel back in time, don’t miss the Modernist festivals in L’Arboç and Gelida!
Heritage. You can also visit major works such as the Cau Ferrat Museum in Sitges, a Modernist temple founded by Santiago Rusiñol, or the Monumental Complex of Sa Roca, featuring Puig i Cadafalch’s restoration of the Romanesque church of Santa Maria del Castell.
Thus, Penedès Modernism acts as the perfect complement for those who want to understand Modernism beyond Gaudí: it’s a walk through history.
2026 also marks the 150th anniversary of Pau Casals’ birth, making Penedès an even richer cultural destination.
At the Pau Casals Museum in El Vendrell, visitors can discover the maestro’s summer home, his musical universe, and the humanist message that shaped the 20th century. Guided tours and theatrical visits are available, where characters like Ramón the fisherman and Maria the maid bring you closer to the maestro’s everyday life.
Here are some ideas to spend 24 hours immersed in a journey through architecture, music, landscape, and wine tourism in Penedès.
Morning: Modernism Among Vineyards
- Modernist route in Vilafranca del Penedès, Gelida, or Sant Sadurní d’Anoia, or a wine tour and tasting at a Modernist winery on the Penedès Wine Route.
- Lunch with local products at one of the Wine Route restaurants.
Afternoon: The Legacy of Pau Casals
- Pau Casals Museum and a stroll through the seaside neighborhood of Sant Salvador.
- Possibility of attending concerts or commemorative activities.
Evening: Gastronomy and accommodation
- Accommodation in rural lodging, Modernist houses, or charming hotels.
In 2026, Catalonia will be the world capital of talent, creativity, and cultural memory. And in the Penedès, this exceptional year is lived in a unique way: among Modernist façades that tell stories and immortal melodies that still resonate by the sea. Come and discover a region that completes and enriches the country’s architectural and cultural experience.
