Centre Cultural La Model

Historical landmark · la Nova Esquerra de l'Eixample

Centre Cultural La Model

Historical landmark · la Nova Esquerra de l'Eixample

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Carrer d'Entença, 155, L'Eixample, 08029 Barcelona, Spain

Photos

Centre Cultural La Model by null
Centre Cultural La Model by Photo by Angel Garcia
Centre Cultural La Model by null
Centre Cultural La Model by null
Centre Cultural La Model by null
Centre Cultural La Model by null
Centre Cultural La Model by null
Centre Cultural La Model by null
Centre Cultural La Model by null
Centre Cultural La Model by null
Centre Cultural La Model by null
Centre Cultural La Model by null
Centre Cultural La Model by null
Centre Cultural La Model by null
Centre Cultural La Model by null
Centre Cultural La Model by null
Centre Cultural La Model by null
Centre Cultural La Model by null
Centre Cultural La Model by null
Centre Cultural La Model by null
Centre Cultural La Model by null

Highlights

Step inside La Model, a circular early 1900s jail turned public site, where history and haunting stories linger in its corridors and courtyard garden.  

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Carrer d'Entença, 155, L'Eixample, 08029 Barcelona, Spain Get directions

lamodel.barcelona

Information

Static Map

Carrer d'Entença, 155, L'Eixample, 08029 Barcelona, Spain Get directions

lamodel.barcelona

Features

wheelchair accessible entrance

Last updated

Jul 30, 2025

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"La Model opened in 1904 as a new “model” prison. Built as a panopticon (a circular building where the cells, built in a ring around the outside of the circle, are visible from a single interior vantage point), it ensured that guards could surveil inmates at all times. During the Franco regime (1939–75), La Model was used to house thousands of political opponents, many of whom were executed in its courtyard. Shut down in 2017, the former penitentiary is now open to the public for tours (free on Fridays and Saturdays) and its courtyard has been turned into a public garden."

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View Postcard for Centre Cultural La Model

Eszter Barabas

Google
We found this place by accident when going to rent a car, and decided to check it out. The entrance is free and it's a very interesting experience. Too bad that they don't have the info panels in English, but it was fun to walk around in the prison anyway.

Marco B

Google
It is absolutely worth the visit. Walking through the corridors, the cells and the court will give you chills. The prison recently shut down (in 2017) and there is not much information about its history yet.

Josep Mena

Google
La Modelo prisión was open from 1904 to 2017 , now is a historical site, entrance is free and if you choose a guided one you have to make reservations. Sad memories.

Anna Vazaiou

Google
Very interesting place! The entrance is free

Helena Whitaker

Google
Found this by accident; a couple of hours before departing & what to do… this weekend there was a festival of SacSeig - performing arts by and for vulnerable people - great to see! Otherwise a really interesting piece of history.

Philippe Embley

Google
Amazing place! You can go freely through the areas enabled for it. It is impressive to go out to the patio and look at the sky always covered by a network, see the dining room or the cells with the painted walls where messages from those who had less luck are read.

Frens J.H. DOLS

Google
I was here in 1997 because my son (24) was convicted 10 years for bringing extacy into the country. I went with his little brothers 12 and 14. I cried non-stop going there, tears running. I was disoriented when I crossed the street toward the walls. A queu of mostly women was waiting, glaring at this crying man with 2 children. Then a richly dressed and elegant woman came to me, spoke english, guided me toward the entrance and helped me through the formalities (I had a different name, so they were unwilling to let me visit him). We spoke for 30 minutes. He was uneasy, a bit reserved. 2 years later he could come back, and our judge ruled he could go free. Now, I looked up this building because yesterday my son died from brain tumor, 48 years old. I am crying again.

Konstantina

Google
An interesting urban monument, this old prison compound has closed its doors as a penitentiary institution on July 2017. It's worth the visit although for the time being there is no signaling or any kind of information available on its history on the grounds.