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Reus
«Reus es la ciudad natal del arquitecto modernista Antoni Gaudí.»Reus is the birthplace of the modernist architect Antoni Gaudí.
Reus is located in the Camp de Tarragona, a few kilometres from the coast, and in the eighteenth century it was the third largest city in Catalonia thanks to the brandy trade. The wealth of those years left it with a centre full of modernist buildings, and it is here that Antoni Gaudí was baptised.
Did you know
A hazelnut gift for newborns.
Tradition dictates that newborns in Reus receive a toasted hazelnut as a gift to ensure commercial prosperity.
How they talk in Reus
«Fer el vermut» means having an aperitif and in Reus it is almost an identity trait. The Tarragona Catalan is very present in public and commercial life.
déu-n'hi-do
Not bad; quite something; truly remarkable. Interjection or adverb to express surprise, admiration, importance, or a considerable quantity.
Everyday life in Reus
The «vermut» was born here
Reus was the world centre of vermouth for a century, and the factories are still in operation: it is drunk on tap, with a splash of soda water, and the city has made a museum out of it.
«Un vermut amb sifó, si us plau.» — A vermouth with soda, please.
Modernism in normal streets
The houses by Domènech i Montaner are in the middle of shops and offices, not in a monumental area: you walk past a 1900 façade on your way to the pharmacy.
The «avellanes» of the area
The Reus hazelnut has a designation of origin and is eaten toasted as an aperitif, with beer. The price exchange was held here, and it was an international benchmark.
«Unas avellanas tostadas, por favor.» — Some toasted hazelnuts, please.
What to eat in Reus
Xató
Escarole salad with salt cod, tuna and anchovies, dressed with almond and ñora sauce.
Calçots amb romesco
Spring onions roasted over embers and dipped in romesco sauce, eaten with the hands.
Botifarra amb mongetes
Grilled Catalan sausage with sautéed white beans.
Vermut de Reus
The vermouth made here since the 19th century, with herbs macerated in wine, served with ice and an olive.
Festivals in Reus
Festa Major de Sant Pere
29 June
The «Tronada» opens the festival with firecrackers in Plaça del Mercadal, and wooden beasts parade behind.
What to see in Reus
Institut Pere Mata
The Modernista asylum by Domènech i Montaner, who tested everything here that he later did in Barcelona.
Casa Navàs
The only Modernista house left with all its original furniture: inside, nothing has changed since 1908.
Gaudí Centre
Gaudí's models and technical solutions, and the baptismal certificate which is the only certain document.
Plaça del Mercadal
The arcaded square in the centre, with Modernista houses and the Saturday market.
Where Reus comes from
«Reus, Paris, London»
12th century
The village
It was born around a tower in the Camp de Tarragona.
18th century
Brandy
The brandy trade makes it the third city of Catalonia: its prices counted in Europe.
1852
Gaudí
Antoni Gaudí is born — in Reus or Riudoms, it was never decided: but he was baptised here.
19th–20th century
Modernism
The wealthy merchants call in Modernista architects, and the city fills with their works.
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