A captivating image has circulated for years, particularly on social media, depicting the Sagrada Família still under construction circa 1906. It shows the landmark surrounded by open fields where a herd of goats graze peacefully. This photograph, a striking contrast to the bustling metropolis surrounding Antoni Gaudí’s masterpiece today, became a viral sensation. However, the photographer behind this iconic snapshot remained largely unknown until recently.
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El Periódico recently revealed that Dr. César Comas Llaberia, a pioneer in Catalan radiology and an avid amateur photographer, took the photograph. Though his name may not be as widely recognised as other photographers of the era, his lens captured a unique moment in Barcelona’s history.
The Forgotten Archive
Dr. Comas Llaberia’s photographic archive, now rediscovered and containing nearly 3,000 images, offers a fascinating glimpse into Barcelona at the turn of the 20th century. Beyond the Sagrada Família (see location), his collection includes photographs of other architectural marvels by Gaudí, such as Park Güell (see location) and Casa Milà (see location), also known as La Pedrera. In addition, Comas Llaberia photographed structures designed by other prominent Modernist architects, including Casa de les Punxes (see location), the Casa Provincial de Maternitat i Expòsits de Barcelona, the Escuela Industrial and the Hospital de Sant Pau (see location). The Los testimonios del Doctor César Comas Llabería document provides additional insight into his life and work.
One particularly striking image shows Comas Llaberia himself with a shepherd and his flock at the Hospital de Sant Pau. Today, the sight of grazing animals near such iconic landmarks might seem unusual. However, a century ago, this was a common scene.
A Rural Past
The area surrounding the Sagrada Família and the Hospital de Sant Pau was then a suburb of Sant Martí de Provençals (see location), known as ‘el Poblet’. It largely retained its rural character, featuring fields, orchards, and pastures. Stables and farmhouses dotted the landscape, with many located in the Pasaje de Gaiolà, which was home to half a dozen goatherds. A farmhouse called Can Notari stood near the Sagrada Família, situated between Avenida de Gaudí and Carrer de Còrsega (approximate former location). Developers demolished it in 1933 to make way for Carrer de Lepant. One of the farm’s outbuildings survived as a goat farm and dairy, selling milk until the 1960s. This steep section of Carrer de Lepant was locally known as the “turó de les cabres” (hill of the goats).
Gaudí and the Goats
Antoni Gaudí himself had connections with these local goatherds. He reportedly enjoyed lettuce mixed with milk he purchased from goatherds grazing near the Sagrada Família construction site. According to some accounts, Gaudí even chose one of the portly shepherds, nicknamed ‘No T’emboliquis Gutiérrez’, as the model for Pontius Pilate on the future Passion Façade. The draughtsman Ricard Opisso, who worked on the temple, sketched the goatherd.
However, the architect’s relationship with goats took a darker turn in 1911 when he contracted brucellosis, also known as Malta fever, likely from consuming raw goat’s milk. Such was the severity of the illness that Gaudí temporarily abandoned the Sagrada Família project and retreated to Puigcerdà to recover. Indeed, the illness was so severe that he drafted his last will and testament.
Dr. Comas Llaberia’s photographs offer more than just historical documentation. They provide a poignant reminder of Barcelona’s transformation from a semi-rural landscape to the vibrant, modern city we know today. His image of goats grazing near the Sagrada Família is a captivating juxtaposition, a testament to the enduring legacy of Gaudí’s vision and the ever-changing face of Barcelona.
