Art and history at the cemeteries of Sitges and Vilanova i la Geltrú

Barcelona, October 20, 2014.

Áltima is organizing two free guided tours to discover the legacy of the 'americanos' at two of the most iconic cemeteries in the Garraf region:

• Vilanova i la Geltrú: "The Artistic Soul of the Cemetery" route at 12:00 PM
• Sant Sebastià de Sitges: "Route of the Souls" at 5:00 PM

Activity:The two guided and free tours through the cemeteries of Vilanova i la Geltrú and Sant Sebastià de Sitges will explore the history of the 'indianos' or 'americanos' through their tombs and mausoleums, which are true masterpieces of Modernism in Catalonia, as well as the graves of other notable figures from the worlds of culture, politics, and business from the 19th and early 20th centuries who are interred here.

Organizer: Áltima

Date and Time:

Sunday, October 26:

•  "The Artistic Soul of the Cemetery" tour at the Vilanova i la Geltrú Municipal Cemetery, from 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM.
•  "Route of the Souls" tour at the Sant Sebastià de Sitges Municipal Cemetery, from 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM.

Meeting Point: Main entrance of the cemeteries.

Addresses:

• Vilanova i la Geltrú Municipal Cemetery: Ctra. de Vilafranca s/n.
• Sant Sebastià de Sitges Municipal Cemetery: Av. Balmins s/n.

Price: Both tours are free. Pre-registration is required at the following phone numbers:

• “The Artistic Soul of the Cemetery” (Vilanova): 667 023 921 (ARC)
• “Route of the Souls” (Sitges): 619 793 199 (Agisitges)

Spaces are limited. Registrations will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.

Registration Deadline: Saturday, October 25.

October 2014: In celebration of All Saints’ Day, Áltima is once again organizing two free guided tours on Sunday, October 26, in two of the most important Modernist cemeteries in the Garraf region: Sant Sebastià in Sitges and Vilanova i la Geltrú. Due to the beauty of the tombs and mausoleums they house, both cemeteries are valuable architectural testimonies to the history of these municipalities, especially that of the 'indianos,' known here as 'americanos.' These were prominent families from the Garraf who went to America for business during the latter half of the 19th century and, upon returning to Catalonia, showcased their wealth and power through grand mansions and monumental mausoleums that reflected their status. The tours through Vilanova and Sitges will cover these funerary artworks by renowned architects and sculptors such as Josep Llimona, Domènech Estapà, Manel Fuxà, and Frederic Marès, among others.

The cemeteries of Sant Sebastià de Sitges and Vilanova i la Geltrú are part of the European Association of Significant Cemeteries (ASCE), which recognizes the historical, cultural, and artistic heritage of these spaces. The Sitges cemetery is also included in the ASCE's European Cemetery Route, a tourist itinerary through the continent's most notable cemeteries.

Vilanova i la Geltrú and “The Artistic Soul of the Cemetery”

This guided tour will review the history of the Garraf capital through the art of its cemetery, which was inaugurated in 1855. The tour of the prestigious tombs of some of the most prominent figures from the worlds of politics, culture, and business buried here will reveal true works of art by architects like Bonaventura Pollés and Domènech Estapà. Examples include the mausoleums of writers Víctor Balaguer and Manuel de Cabanyes, painter Joaquim Mir, and politician and businessman Francesc Gumà.

Sitges and the “Route of the Souls”

The old Sitges cemetery, next to the Sant Sebastià beach, opened in 1814. Although not large, it contains a significant number of Modernist tombs by architects and sculptors such as Josep Llimona, Frederic Marès, Manuel Fuxà, Agapit Vallmitjana, Alexandre Mariotti, Josep Reynés, Joan Rebull, and Pere Jou. The tour on October 26 will explore this artistic ensemble where some of Sitges' most illustrious figures are buried.