Gaudi’s Master: The Temple
Saint Francis de Sales
Nestled along the Passeig de Sant Joan, the Church of San Francis de Sales (“Església de Sant Francesc de Sales” at the “Convent de les Saleses”) is a masterpiece of neo-Gothic architecture, an emblem of Barcelona’s artistic and spiritual heritage. Built between 1877 and 1885, it is the work of Joan Martorell i Montells, a master of architectural harmony and proportion. His contemporaries hailed him as “a man of wisdom and sanctity,” a reflection of the deep purpose with which he approached his craft. Within these walls, a young Antoni Gaudí found his first inspirations, laying the groundwork for a career that would reshape the very fabric of the city.
The Salesian Sisters
This temple’s story began in 1874, when the Order of the Visitation of Holy Mary (Salesian Sisters, VSM) established a community in Barcelona. Two years later, the nuns acquired land in the Eixample district, and on March 28, 1877, the first stone of their convent was laid.
As their home took shape, so too did their place of worship. Construction of the church began on May 18, 1882, with the foundation stone blessed by Bishop Josep Urquinaona i Bidot—a symbolic moment reaffirming the building’s mission: to lift the spirit and inspire reflection. Three years later, on April 26, 1885, the church was consecrated, securing its place in Barcelona’s architectural and cultural landscape.
A space for light and sound
Joan Martorell’s vision for this church was guided by a singular principle: light and space should flow freely, much like the ancient monastic cloisters where time seemed to slow down. Its façades enclose a vast, gardened courtyard, reminiscent of sacred spaces where nature and architecture exist in balance.
Inside, the church’s Latin cross floor plan, soaring nave, and intricate vaulting create an atmosphere of serene grandeur. The warm glow of stained glass windows, the alternating black and white floor mosaics, the intimate side chapels, and the intricate woodwork of the ceiling all contribute to a sense of harmony that transcends time.
This is a place of worship, but also a space built to be experienced, where architecture and natural acoustics work in perfect synergy, allowing music to fill the air with unmatched purity of sound.
Tradition inspires the present
Through wars, political upheavals, and the passage of time, San Francis de Sales has witnessed both moments of splendor and darkness. Yet, as with every great work meant to endure, it stood resilient, its walls holding the echoes of centuries past. Today, its unmistakable silhouette and masterful design continue to inspire visitors, standing as a testament to the power of architecture to elevate both city and soul.
Today, it stands with sober elegance and history woven into every corner. Here, where architecture becomes a full sensory experience, time seems to stand still. To step inside San Francis de Sales is not merely to visit a monument, it is to step into Barcelona’s living legacy of beauty, faith, innovation, and cultural tradition. A living legacy where the vision of Martorell and the early genius of Gaudí still resonate in stone and light.