The city of Reus (Spain, Catalonia) is, in our opinion, a small regional center. It is the second largest population and size settlement of the province of Tarragona. It does not stand at sea, but a little on a hill. Nevertheless, a lot of tourists come here every day. What attracts them Reus? Spain is a country of great artists, sculptors and architects. One of them - the genius of the twentieth century - is Antonio Gaudi. Tour guides say that he was born in this city. However, Reus is not the only one famous for Gaudi - especially since there are no houses designed by him here. But here you can see the whole ensembles and architectural delights of the Catalan modernist school.
What is the best way to come to Reus? Spain has a well-developed infrastructure, and both trains (both long-distance and electric trains) and buses stop here. The station is closer to the center, and from the bus station you need to go up the main avenue for about a quarter of an hour. Since there are signs and marked tracks everywhere, you are not likely to get lost. Mostly tourists come by bus, because it is easier to get to the city from the beaches of the Costa Dorada, especially from Salou. Some of the routes pass through the old city, and those who are eager to walk along its amazing streets go out on Gusinaya Square.
So, we got off the bus and look around. The first thing that catches your eye is the tourist center. Here you can take a map for free to explore Reus. Spain makes a lot of money from tourism, and therefore everything is thought out here so that visitors are comfortable. The map is also not easy - it shows various routes around the city, depending on the interests of the visitor. Let us dwell on the "path of modernism." You can walk it in a few hours, and it is designed so that you can explore houses with the most beautiful and bizarre facades. In addition to Gaudi, they were designed by such an architect as Domenech y Montaner. Of course, it is more informative to go along this route with a guide, but for our compatriots who do not know either Spanish or Catalan, this is possible only in the summer. In the "low season" tours are conducted only on weekends and only in the official languages of the province.
However, imagine that we are going, armed exclusively with a map, and want to explore the modernist Reus. Spain (or rather Catalonia) is inhabited by admirers of this style in art and architecture. However, Reus gives odds to other cities. True, acquaintance with him, as a rule, begins with the parish church of San Pere, with a Gothic bell tower 60 meters high. It is known that Gaudi believed that she was better off in the world. By the way, the famous architect was baptized in this church. Perhaps Gothic inspired the imagination of the rest of the Catalan modernists. This temple is located next to Mercadal Square (Market). There is a Gaudi museum (or Center), a town hall with dragons and world-famous mansions - Navas and Pignol. And then you will feel dizzy from the abundance of floral motifs and wrought iron ornaments, columns, bas-reliefs and consoles in the form of female heads ...
Here is the Casa Laguna house with the “wrong” mosaic and ceramic medallions, and the openwork balconies of Casa Serra and Marco, and the “laurel” decorations of Casa Grau with semicircular arches, and the modernist theater of Fortuny, and much, much more. Do not even list in such a short review the modernist sights of Reus. Spain is generally rich in such small, but vibrant towns that attract tourists on their own, regardless of the sea, sun and shopping. Although the latter is wonderful in Reus.