Palau Macaya

Alright, true — this palace wasn’t designed by Gaudí. However, the Macaya Palace is still a fantastic example of Barcelona’s Modernist architecture, and since we’re passing right by… why not stop and take a closer look? The building was designed in 1901 by Josep Puig i Cadafalch, one of Gaudí’s rivals. What makes it so interesting is the play of contrast — a clean, white façade paired with richly detailed stone ornamentation. After the Spanish Civil War, the palace was bought by La Caixa, Barcelona’s savings and pension bank. It was then transformed into an educational institute for the deaf and blind. The good news? It’s free to enter! In 2012, the building was beautifully restored and reopened as La Caixa cultural centre. Step inside and take a moment to admire the covered courtyard beneath a stunning glass roof, and don’t miss the elegant vestibule. If you follow the staircase to the main floor, you’ll be treated to some truly magnificent bay windows — definitely worth a look.