El Historical Raluy Circus The Raluy Historic Circus has always maintained a very special relationship with the city of Terrassa. Within the framework of the city's Modernist Fair, the Circo Raluy Histórico found an ideal setting to showcase its show, which combines the charm of the classic circus with a vintage aesthetic and modern execution. This fair, which celebrates the splendor of Catalan Modernism, provided the perfect space for the circus to present its performance, bringing magic and nostalgia to one of the city's most important events.
The Modernist Fair of Terrassa: a perfect setting for the Historical Raluy Circus
The Terrassa Modernist Fair is an annual event that transports the city back to the early 20th century, recreating the golden age of Modernism with cultural activities, exhibitions, and themed performances. In this context, the presence of the Historic Raluy Circus has become a key element contributing to the festive atmosphere.
With its traditional aesthetics, its old caravans and its classic-style tent, the circus fits perfectly into the atmosphere of the fair. The combination of its nostalgic staging with the cultural richness of the event makes its show one of the most eagerly awaited each year.
A historic farewell in Terrassa
One of the most memorable moments in the relationship between the Circo Raluy Histórico and Terrassa occurred in May 2016, when the city witnessed the company's final performance before its split into two branches: Circo Raluy Legacy and the Museo Circo Raluy Histórico. This event marked a turning point in the circus's history and left an indelible mark on the people of Terrassa.
The choice of the city as the setting for this pivotal moment was no coincidence. The close relationship between the company and the Modernist Fair made Terrassa a significant place in the history of the Circo Raluy Histórico, and that final performance was an emotionally charged event for both the artists and the audience.
A relationship that continues year after year
Despite the company's separation, the connection between the Circo Raluy Histórico and Terrassa remains strong. Both branches of the circus have continued to perform in the city in the years since, keeping the circus tradition alive as part of the Modernist Fair and other cultural events.
The people of Terrassa have maintained a close relationship with the circus, enjoying each and every one of its performances. The city remains a key point in the history of the Circo Raluy Histórico, where its legacy continues to enchant new generations and preserve the essence of the traditional circus within a modern and culturally enriching context.
The Raluy Historic Circus: a legacy that transcends generations
The Raluy Historical Circus is much more than a circus company; it is a family business with a unique history that has managed to keep tradition alive throughout generations. Founded by Luis Raluy Iglesias, this circus has been characterized by its fidelity to the aesthetics and values of the classic circus, using carefully restored antique tents and vehicles.
Today, Rosa Raluy directs the company, ensuring that the circus legacy remains alive and relevant. Her commitment to artistic quality, combining traditional numbers with contemporary innovations, has allowed Circo Raluy to remain a benchmark in the world of circus.
An inseparable link between the Raluy Historical Circus and Terrassa
The relationship between the Raluy Historic Circus and the Terrassa Modernist Fair is a clear example of how tradition and culture can merge to offer unique experiences. Each year, this collaboration transports spectators to a bygone era, reviving the magic of the circus of yesteryear and celebrating the richness of Catalan Modernism.
This bond, forged over the years, remains a fundamental part of the city's cultural landscape and the legacy of the Circo Raluy Histórico in Europe. The magic of its show continues to captivate audiences, cementing Terrassa's place as one of the essential destinations in the history of this legendary circus company.
What is the Terrassa Modernist Fair?
La Terrassa Art Nouveau Fair is one of the most emblematic cultural and tourist events in Catalonia, held annually in the city of Terrassa. For a weekend, the city is transformed into a true journey through time, recreating the modernist era of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. This event pays tribute to the architecture, art, fashion and society of that era, with an atmosphere that transports visitors to the times when Modernism left its mark on the city.
A tribute to the modernist legacy
Terrassa is one of the Catalan cities with the greatest modernist legacy, thanks to its importance as an industrial centre during the 19th century. The Modernist Fair allows you to rediscover this heritage through guided tours of emblematic buildings, such as the Masia freixa legacy of the family business Freixa, the Casa Alegre de Sagrera or the Vapor Aymerich, Amat i Jover, current headquarters of the National Museum of Science and Technology of Catalonia.
In addition to architecture, the fair highlights everyday life of the period through theatrical performances, parades of old cars and bicycles, displays of traditional crafts, concerts and shows inspired by Art Nouveau.
Activities and citizen participation
One of the most attractive aspects of the Terrassa Art Nouveau Fair is the involvement of the citizens. Many residents, traders and participants dress in period costumes, which contributes to the atmosphere and turns the streets into a true historical setting. There are also markets of artisanal products, workshops, food tastings and family activities that allow visitors to immerse themselves in history in a dynamic and fun way.
Each edition of the fair has a specific theme that allows visitors to explore different aspects of Modernism, such as education, the textile industry or the role of women in society at the time.
A benchmark event in Catalonia
Thanks to its unique character and its careful historical recreation, the Terrassa Art Nouveau Fair has established itself as a benchmark event in Catalonia. Every year it attracts thousands of visitors, becoming a great opportunity to rediscover the city, its history and its heritage.
If you are passionate about Modernism, history or simply want to live a different experience in a festive atmosphere, the Terrassa Modernist Fair is an essential event in the cultural calendar of the region.
Modernist buildings in Terrassa
Terrassa is one of the Catalan cities with the greatest wealth of modernist architecture, reflecting the industrial boom and the influence of the textile bourgeoisie at the end of the 19th century and beginning of the 20th century. Its modernist legacy is manifested in majestic buildings designed by architects such as Lluís Muncunill and Josep Maria Coll i Bacardí, whose works still retain their splendour. Below, we present some of the most emblematic modernist buildings in Terrassa:
Masia freixa
One of the symbols of Modernism in Terrassa, Masia Freixa was originally built as a factory in 1896, but in 1907 the architect Lluís Muncunill transformed it into a family residence. Its structure is notable for its use of trencadís (broken tile mosaic) and parabolic arches, clearly influenced by Gaudí. Today, it is a point of interest within Parc de Sant Jordi and houses the Tourist Office.
Happy House of Sagrera
This modernist manor house was renovated between 1911 and 1912 by the architect Melcior Vinyals. It is a building that preserves its original decoration, with stained glass windows, period furniture and mural paintings. Today, it is a museum that allows visitors to learn about bourgeois life in Terrassa at the beginning of the XNUMXth century.
Terrassa City Council
The Town Hall of Terrassa, opened in 1903 and designed by Lluís Muncunill, is another magnificent example of modernism in the city. Its façade stands out for its use of exposed brick, floral elements and sgraffito, while inside you can admire impressive stained glass windows and ornate ceilings.
Independence Market
Built in 1908 by architects Antoni Pascual i Carretero and Melcior Vinyals, this market is a jewel of functional modernism. Its iron and glass structure, typical of the industrial architecture of the time, provides great light and spaciousness to the interior. It is the main market in the city and still maintains its commercial activity.
Steamship Aymerich, Amat and Jover
Considered one of the most impressive modernist factories in Catalonia, the Vapor Aymerich, Amat i Jover was designed by Lluís Muncunill in 1907. Its sawtooth roof with skylights and exposed brick structure make it a notable example of modernist industrial architecture. Today, it houses the Museu Nacional de la Ciència i la Tècnica de Catalunya (mNACTEC).
These buildings are just a sample of the modernist splendour that is still preserved in Terrassa. Walking through its streets is like immersing yourself in an era of architectural innovation and cultural splendour that continues to captivate locals and visitors alike.
What is Modernism?
El Modernism is an artistic and cultural movement that emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries as a response to academicism and traditional art forms. It manifested itself primarily in architecture, design, painting, sculpture and literature, with the aim of creating a new style inspired by nature, fantasy and organic forms.
In Europe, Modernism had different names depending on the country: in Spain and Latin America it was called Modernism, in France Art Nouveau, in Germany Jugendstil and in Austria Sezessionstil. Despite the differences in name, they shared the same essence: the search for beauty through innovation and originality.
Characteristics of Modernism
Modernism was characterized by a strong inspiration from nature, the use of curved and sinuous lines, and the integration of decorative arts into architecture. Some of its most distinctive features include:
- Wavy lines and organic shapes, inspired by flora and fauna.
- Use of new materials and techniques, such as wrought iron, colored glass, and glazed ceramics.
- Overloaded and detailed decoration, with floral motifs, stylized female figures and references to the exotic and the fantastic.
- Search for artistic unity, integrating architecture, furniture, graphic design and applied arts in a single concept.
Modernism in architecture
Modernism had a great impact on architecture, especially in cities like Barcelona, where architects like Antoni Gaudí, Lluís Domènech i Montaner and Josep Puig i Cadafalch left an unmistakable legacy. Buildings such as the Sagrada Familia, the Palau de la Música Catalana and Casa Batlló are iconic examples of this style.
Beyond Spain, Modernism also left its mark on cities such as Brussels (with the works of Victor HortaMore), Paris (with the metro stations of Hector Guimard) and Vienna (with the architecture of Otto Wagner).
Modernism in literature and the arts
In literature, Modernism had a great presence in poetry and narrative, with authors such as Rubén Darío, who led this movement in the Spanish language with his work Blue… (1888). It was characterized by the use of refined language, musicality in the verses and a great influence of French symbolism and Parnassianism.
In the visual arts, artists such as Gustav Klimt, Alphonse Mucha y Ramon Casas They brought a modernist aesthetic to painting and poster art, creating works with a great decorative and symbolic meaning.
The legacy of modernism
Although Modernism lost strength with the arrival of other artistic movements in the 20th century, its legacy continues to be admired and preserved in many cities around the world. In Catalonia, its influence is especially visible in the Catalan modernism, which left behind a valuable architectural and cultural heritage.
Today, Modernism is one of the most appreciated artistic movements for its elegance, creativity and ability to transform everyday life into a work of art.
Modernist Fair of Terrassa 2026
The 23rd edition of the Terrassa Modernist Fair will be held from May 8 to 10, 2026, and will be dedicated to the figure of Alexander de Riquer (Calaf, 1856-Palma 1920), one of the most complete figures of Catalan Modernism and an essential reference of Art Nouveau design in Catalonia.
Born into a Catalan noble family, he showed a clear artistic vocation from a very young age. After initial training in Béziers and Toulouse, he returned to Barcelona in 1874 and studied at the Llotja with masters such as Tomàs Padró, Antoni Caba, and Claudi Lorenzale. Later, he traveled to Rome, Paris, and London, experiences that decisively broadened his artistic horizons.
In his early years, he distinguished himself as a painter of landscapes and scenes inspired by nature, especially birds, which for him symbolized natural purity. However, his artistic evolution took a significant turn after his trip to England in 1894, where he came into contact with the Pre-Raphaelites, modern advertising posters, and the Arts & Crafts movement. From then on, he became one of the great introducers of modern English art in Catalonia and a staunch advocate of the applied arts and crafts.
Riquer pursued a wide range of activities: he collaborated on interior design, designed furniture, gold and silver pieces, ceramics, mosaics, playing cards, labels, postcards, and all kinds of printed materials. He particularly excelled in three areas: poster design, bookplates, and book and magazine illustration. He was a pioneer of the Modernist poster in Barcelona and also the most prominent bookplate artist in Catalonia, with a body of work of great formal refinement that earned him international acclaim.
In addition to being a visual artist, he was a poet and illustrator, and he always conceived of text and image as an expressive unity. In his later years, amidst the crisis of Modernism in the face of Noucentisme, he devoted himself more to poetry and landscape painting. His figure exemplifies the union between artist, craftsman, and poet, and summarizes a vision of art based on beauty, nature, and harmony.
