From Landform to Landscape: the Odyssey of Spanish Architecture toward Modernity

In contrast to Spain’s arid south and center, the lush northeast—home to Catalonia, Navarre, La Rioja, and the Basque Country—is celebrated as the nation’s “green lung.” After the Industrial Revolution, this was the only region of Spain to truly embrace modernization, and it remains the country’s most prosperous area today.

This journey focuses on the region’s constellation of modern and contemporary masterpieces, visiting more than 30 landmark projects that have shaped Spanish and European architectural history. From Mies van der Rohe and Gaudí to Rafael Moneo, Frank Gehry, Santiago Calatrava, and EMBT, the itinerary provides an unparalleled survey of architectural innovation.