Santa Rita - Casa Vicens Gaudí

The origin of the tradition dates back to the second half of the 18TH century. At the time in this place there was a house of convalescence of the Discalced Carmelite Friars of the “Josepets” convent in today’s Plaça Lesseps. Surprised by how quickly the people who drank from the water spring recovered from diﬀerent pains, they dedicated the site to Santa Rita, the patron saint of impossible causes.

Capilla Santa Rita, Casa Vicens — Casa Vicens, 1932
Carrer de les Carolines. © IAAH

Interior of the Santa Rita fountain in Casa Vicens.
Josep Postius, Arxiu Fotogràfic de Barcelona

Saint Rita's chapel.
Josep Postius, Arxiu Fotogràfic de Barcelona

1886

In 1886, its carbonated waters were declared to be of public use and they started to be sold. Later, in 1927, a new chapel was built precisely where the spring was. This chapel was included in the space that at the time was occupied by the Casa Vicens estate.

The Herrero-Jover family, which lived in the house from 1899 to 2014, started to open the garden’s doors each 22 May in order to follow the tradition. Years ago, the neighbours came to Carrer Carolines to celebrate the day of Santa Rita and to drink water from the natural mineral-medicinal water spring located where the corner of Avenue of the Riera de Cassoles and Carrer de les Carolines is today.

1946

In 1946, however, the Jover family put several parcels of the garden up for sale and the estate was separated. With this division of the land, the chapel of Santa Rita was separated from the rest of the house, and in 1963, with the sale of the parcel where it was located, the chapel was demolished to build a large block of buildings.

In spite of the church’s disappearance, Santa Rita remains in the neighbourhood’s collective memory through the name of certain establishments and a good number of neighbours named Rita in honour of the patron saint of impossible causes. Additionally, after Gaudí’s first house was rehabilitated, converted to a museum and opened to the public, Casa Vicens retains the firm commitment to continuing the tradition and establishing this date as a special day so that the neighbourhood can pay homage to the saint.

Interior Saint's Rita chapel — Interior of the Santa Rita fountain in Casa Vicens. © IAAH

Agenda May 22, 2023

10:00 - 2 p.m.

In front of Casa Vicens

Sale of candles and roses. The amount raised will go to Center Heura, an entity based in Gràcia that provides social and assistance services to the homeless population, in a situation of severe poverty and/or exclusion.
11:00 a.m.

Church of the Daughters of Charity of Saint Vincent de Paul

The mass of Santa Rita and the blessing of roses in the church of the Daughters of Charity of Saint Vincent de Paul (Carrer Carolines, 16).
11:30 - 12:30 p.m.

Casa Vicens

Free entry for the blessing of the roses in the garden of Casa Vicens. Limited capacity, it is required to carry a rose.
10:00 - 3 p.m.

Church of the Daughters of Charity of Saint Vincent de Paul

The church, with the image of Santa Rita, will be open to the public from 10:00 a.m to 3:00 p.m.
10:00 - 8 p.m.

Casa Vicens

Casa Vicens Gaudí will be open to the public from 10:00 a.m to 8:00 p.m (last entry 7.00 pm). Advance reservation of tickets is recommended.

50% off in the visits to Casa Vicens to celebrate Santa Rita!
May 22

From May 17th, buy your ticket on our website with the code SANTARITA and enjoy a 50% off on your ticket for Monday 22nd, applicable to the free and guided visit, both in general and reduced rates.

50% discount

Casa Vicens is covered with roses by Toni Seguí
From 20th to 22nd May, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The fountain in the gallery will present a unique floral decoration by Toni Seguí, to pay homage to the most popular tradition of Gaudí's first house: the Santa Rita festivity.

The history of Santa Rita in Casa Vicens

Sale of roses and candles
CSR Action

The amount raised will go to Center Heura, an entity based in Gràcia that provides social and assistance services to the homeless population, in a situation of severe poverty and/or exclusion.

MORE INFORMATION