The Royal Sanctuary of Saint Joseph of the Mountain

Catalan Modernism didn’t just influence houses and public buildings — it also made its way into religious architecture. The perfect example is the Sanctuary of Saint Joseph of the Mountain. This complex includes a church, a convent, and a neo-Romanesque chapel, all built in a style that blends historic tradition with modernist flair. Construction began in 1895 when Historicism was at its peak, a movement aiming to revive and reinterpret older architectural styles. In this case, it was to re-enact Romanesque art, typically found between the 9th and 12th centuries.The architect behind it was Francesc Berenguer — a name you may not know, yet he worked on many of the buildings you’ve seen around Barcelona. Here’s why: he never officially completed his studies in architecture, meaning that he couldn’t legally sign his own projects. However, he was close to Antoni Gaudí, who welcomed him in his studio and helped him gain experience on the ground. The two worked together on several projects — and to this day, there’s still some debate over which designs truly belonged to whom. Now, back to the sanctuary. It was built to host the Congregation of the Mothers of the Abandoned and Saint Joseph of the Mountain. Founded by Ana Josefa Pérez Florido, later known as Petra de San José, she provided care for the most vulnerable — especially elderly people and children without support. The congregation eventually expanded across Spain, Italy, the United States, and several countries in South America. Ana Josefa dedicated her life to founding hospitals and shelters, and in 1994, she was beatified by Pope John Paul II in recognition of her work.