Gaudí Year 2026 in La Pobla de Lillet: Berguedà highlights its lesser-known Gaudí
In 2026, while all of Catalonia and much of the architecture world commemorate the centenary of Antoni Gaudí i Cornet’s death, there’s a special place where the celebration carries a unique meaning: La Pobla de Lillet, a central village in Berguedà that has kept one of the most overlooked architectural secrets of Catalonia’s most universal modernist master for decades.
Set between mountainous nature and Catalonia’s industrial history —crossed by the Llobregat river and with an old tradition of mining and brick factories— La Pobla is debuting the “Gaudí Year” in 2026 with events running from February to December, showcasing its unique heritage.
The Catllaràs Chalet: a little-known Gaudí icon rediscovered 
Perhaps the most striking news of recent months is the scientific and official confirmation that the Catllaràs Chalet was designed by Antoni Gaudí.
This building, located in the heart of the mountain range —originally conceived as a refuge for engineers working in the mines and the Asland cement factory— had long been attributed to Gaudí due to his connection with his patron, Count Eusebi Güell, but until now no rigorous technical study had been presented.
A report commissioned by the Department of Culture of the Generalitat of Catalonia and led by Galdric Santana, director of the Gaudí Chair at the Polytechnic University of Catalonia (UPC), concluded that Gaudí is the author of the original project, although he did not personally oversee construction and the final work included modifications.
This official confirmation redraws the cultural maps of Catalan modernism and positions La Pobla de Lillet as a must-visit destination on any Gaudí route this year.
Artigas Gardens: Gaudí and nature in pure form
When we think of Gaudí, Barcelona often comes to mind immediately —the Sagrada Familia, Park Güell or La Pedrera— but in La Pobla de Lillet there is a work that reveals a less monumental yet equally fascinating side of the master: the Artigas Gardens.
Designed between 1905 and 1906, these gardens express what is often called Gaudí’s naturalist phase, where water, stone and vegetation blend into a harmonious, even poetic whole.
The architect conceived these spaces as a sensitive response to the landscape and topography, creating paths, bridges and structures that interact with the course of the Llobregat river and the materials that nature itself provides.
Although nearly forgotten during the first half of the 20th century, their restoration and recovery in the 1990s have made them one of the most evocative spots in Berguedà today.
Cultural tourism as a community driver
La Pobla de Lillet’s link to Gaudí is not only an artistic argument: it’s also a commitment to the cultural and tourist development of the region.
The Gaudí Year 2026 has launched a program of events, guided tours, lectures and exhibitions that invite both architecture enthusiasts and curious travellers to discover not only the genius’s work but also the identity of a village that has kept its living history.
Why should La Pobla de Lillet be on your list in 2026?
Gaudí rediscovered: the Catllaràs Chalet now officially credited to the modernist master.
Integration with nature: the Artigas Gardens reveal a poetic, lesser-known facet of Gaudí.
Vibrant cultural program: Gaudí Year fills the village with activities connecting past and present.
Landscape and heritage: medieval streets, Romanesque bridges and lush nature complete the experience.
If you love architecture, history, or simply seek a getaway with a rich cultural agenda in 2026, La Pobla de Lillet stands out as an essential stop.
With the official recognition of the Catllaràs Chalet, the beauty of the Artigas Gardens and a community proudly living the Gaudí Year, this corner of Berguedà is set to become one of the landmark destinations for the centenary of the genius who transformed modern architecture.
Where to stay?
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