MODERNIST ROUTE

At the very end of the 19th century, in the context of the Industrial Revolution, Tortosa experienced significant economic and industrial growth: the urban fabric developed, and part of the city wall was demolished to allow for the construction of new buildings. At this time, the modernist/Art Nouveau aesthetic spread widely throughout Europe, with each country having its own specificities, even reaching America where the Tiffany style was developed. In France, Art Nouveau, considered as "total art", is everywhere, even in the Parisian subway stations designed by Hector Guimard in 1900. Tortosa's bourgeoisie, some of whom came from flourishing industrial sectors, was responsible for the proliferation of the modernist aesthetic in the city. In order to discover the many testimonies of the golden age of Modernism in Tortosa, one can follow the "Route of Modernism", a tourist route set up by the Tourist Office. The Tortosa Museum, housed in the old slaughterhouse (Escorxador in Catalan) designed by Pau Monguió Segura in 1906, the Casa Grego by the same architect, the Casa Bau (1912-1949) by Josep Plantada i Artigas and the municipal market (1884-1887) designed by Joan Torras i Guardiola, are some of the most emblematic Modernist buildings in the city. In order to follow the itinerary in the best possible way, don't hesitate to go to the Tortosa Tourist Office to pick up a well-done booklet that presents the points of interest along the route one by one.