Café Moderno, Art Nouveau building in St. Joseph's Square, Pontevedra, Spain
Café Moderno is a three-story granite building on St. Joseph's Square featuring wrought iron galleries and cast iron columns supporting its structure. The stone facade displays detailed architectural elements with ironwork details throughout.
The building opened in 1902 after Bernardo Martínez-Bautista Herrera commissioned it upon returning from Cuba, replacing the former Pazo Gago de Mendoza on that site. Its construction marked a shift toward modern architecture in the city.
The cafe served as a meeting place where Galician thinkers gathered to discuss ideas and collaborate on regional matters. The interior spaces still carry traces of those conversations and connections.
The building sits on a central square in Pontevedra and is easy to reach on foot from the city center. Visitors should check ahead as opening hours can vary depending on the day.
The interior preserves original mirrors, lamps, and artworks by Montserín and Carlos Sobrino following its renovation by architect Álvaro Siza in 1998. These original details offer a window into early 1900s craftsmanship.
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