Spain confirms Gaudí designed remote Catalonia mountain refuge

Thursday 19 February 2026 - 07:50

By: Dakir Madiha

Spain confirms Gaudí designed remote Catalonia mountain refuge

Spanish authorities have confirmed that modernist architect Antoni Gaudí was the designer of a secluded three story mountain refuge in Catalonia, resolving more than a century of debate surrounding the building known as the Xalet del Catllaràs.

The announcement followed the release of an expert report commissioned by the Catalan Ministry of Culture and prepared by Galdric Santana, director of the Gaudí Chair at the Polytechnic University of Catalonia and curator of the Gaudí Year 2026 commemorations. The finding comes as Catalonia marks the centenary of the architect’s death, adding a significant discovery to the anniversary events.

The Xalet del Catllaràs stands in a forested area within the municipality of La Pobla de Lillet, roughly 125 kilometers north of Barcelona. Constructed between 1901 and 1908, the building was intended to house workers and engineers employed at a nearby cement factory and coal mine. The industrial complex belonged to Eusebi Güell, a prominent businessman and long time patron of Gaudí, who commissioned several of the architect’s best known works, including Park Güell and Palau Güell in Barcelona.

Catalan Culture Minister Sònia Hernández described the confirmation as a major contribution to the region’s cultural heritage. Presenting the findings inside the building, she said the case underscored the importance of rigorous scientific verification in establishing authorship of historic works.

La Pobla de Lillet Mayor Enric Pla said the recognition marked a significant moment for the municipality, noting that the town would finally see the authorship of the structure formally attributed to what he called a universal architect.

According to Santana’s report, the refuge was designed during a transitional phase in Gaudí’s career and incorporates structural elements distinctive to that period. These include specific types of arches and vaults, along with interior spaces divided by walls positioned at 45 degree angles. The study argues that such techniques were unique to Gaudí at the time and were only adopted by his followers a decade or more later.

To reach his conclusion, Santana conducted geometric, structural and compositional analyses of the building. He compared its floor plans with those of other Gaudí projects, applied three dimensional modeling techniques and reviewed historical documents and archival photographs. The convergence of these elements, he said, provided consistent evidence of Gaudí’s authorship and reflected the architect’s evolving design approach.

The building’s attribution to Gaudí dates back to 1946, when architect Assís Viladevall published a report in the journal Cortijos y Rascacielos citing a conversation with Domènec Sugranyes Gras, a collaborator of Gaudí on the Sagrada Familia, who affirmed the connection. However, until now, no comprehensive technical study had conclusively established the claim.

Santana acknowledged that before undertaking the research, it was reasonable to question whether Gaudí had been involved. The refuge’s remote location and the architect’s heavy workload during those years raised doubts about his direct participation.

The report suggests that Gaudí likely did not supervise construction and that the finished building diverged from his original design. Notably, the structure ultimately employed conventional beams rather than the funicular arch system Gaudí had proposed to support the floors, a change Santana described as a substantial conceptual alteration. This deviation may explain why Gaudí never publicly acknowledged the project.

The researcher noted that roughly ten additional structures remain unverified as potential works by Gaudí, including the nearby Chalet del Clot del Moro, built as Güell’s personal residence. The confirmation of the Xalet del Catllaràs adds a new chapter to the architect’s legacy and highlights the ongoing effort to document and authenticate his contributions to Catalonia’s architectural heritage.