Spain - Barcelona
Catalunya en petit
By @hanneolsen
In Sant Andreu you find a small front-garden world made by the self-taught artist Isidre Castells. Along the wall and inside the garden he created two-dimensional replicas of Catalan landmarks with mosaics and shells. Sagrada Família, Montserrat and many more appear in miniature. He worked here for about twenty years, starting in the mid 1980s, and the site is still cared for by his family. You view it from the street.
Address: Carrer de Grau, 39, Sant Andreu, 08030 Barcelona, Spain
Why go
A quiet, local piece of Barcelona folk art. Fewer visitors and a tender portrait of Catalonia made at home.
Vibe
Simple and heartfelt. A mosaic garden on a quiet street where neighbors chat and you look closely.
Tips
Go in daylight and be respectful. This is a private garden that you see from Carrer de Grau 56–58. Take a slow look at the tile work and the small sculpted details. Combine the stop with a stroll through Sant Andreu or a visit to Fabra i Coats.
About @hanneolsen
I am a travel journalist specializing in Spain. I often work and live in Spain, which I consider my second home. As a cultural traveler, my curiosity drives me to continually seek out and convey the many stories that help define Spain, its people, and their culture. In addition to running Spain by Hanne, I also contribute travel articles and photos to Politiken and other Danish media. Received the Danish Media Award at the Spain Talks Awards 2025, organized by Turespaña, for a travel feature on Benidorm focusing on sustainable tourism.
