Mausoleu de Jaume I, Art Nouveau mausoleum in Tarragona, Spain
The Mausoleum of James I stands on Plaça de la Font in Tarragona under a large canopy structure. The monument features a porphyry vessel decorated with mosaics and flanked by two sculptures representing symbolic figures.
The monument was commissioned in 1906 by Tarragona's Monuments Commission and designed by architect Lluís Domènech i Montaner. It was built to honor King James I, a major medieval ruler of Catalonia.
The structure combines Art Nouveau and Catalan modernism through fine details in stone, ceramic, and mosaic work that display local artistic craftsmanship. You can see how decorative patterns cover the surfaces and reflect the skilled work of that era.
The mausoleum sits on a central public plaza and is easy to reach on foot. You can visit and view the exterior anytime, as it remains accessible to the public throughout the day.
The base features cylindrical columns that appear to float on carved wave motifs, creating an optical illusion of movement. This detail gives the solid monument an unexpected sense of lightness and grace.
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