Wine, cats, and seafront vistas! Monumento a Santiago Rusiñol might just be the most adorable spot in Sitges! (2023)
Monumento a Santiago Rusiñol Sitges
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My favorite place to see feral cats in Sitges, Spain, is near the Monumento a Santiago Rusiñol (the Spanish painter, poet, and playwright). The cats live on an enclosed lawn with a view over the promenade and beach. The town council feeds them daily, and all the cats have been spayed or neutered. The area is surrounded by bars and restaurants, so you can watch the kitties while enjoying tapas or a refreshing drink.

Let’s meet the adorable cat community at Monumento a Santiago Rusiñol in Sitges

stray cats Sitgesstray cats spain

Monumento a Santiago Rusiñol: where is it?

The Monumento a Santiago Rusiñol in Sitges is located on the Passeig de la Ribera, a scenic promenade along the waterfront. For many visitors, the area is favorite spot to hang out, mainly because the beachfront setting provides a such a picturesque and relaxing backdrop.

The location is also conveniently within walking distance from the charming old town of Sitges, the historic streets, and its quaint shops.

feral cats sitges spainSpanish feral cats

Stray cats

One of the reasons I love this spot is the enclosed lawn surrounding Monumento a Santiago Rusiñol—the place is teeming with cats. (You can even spot these adorable felines on Google Maps!)

Right in front of the monument and adjacent to the beach, there’s also a small enclosed area with cat houses and food bowls.

Enjoying a snack or a drink in this area without spotting a cat is nearly impossible. They’re everywhere, and they’re craving some love!

feral cats sitges

The Sitges town council ensures they’re fed daily, and many have been spayed or neutered.

However, it’s disheartening to note that despite the care, some of these stray cats are unwell. Having visited Sitges yearly (for my other job as a film festival programmer), I’ve never seen the same cats two years in a row.

This means that these felines are still facing numerous challenges, emphasizing the ongoing need for concerted efforts in communal cat care.

cat with nose problemsloveable orange cat

Bars and restaurants

In terms of food, the restaurants surrounding Monumento a Santiago Rusiñol haven’t quite won me over. After trying each one, none managed to make it onto my list of go-to spots.

Nevertheless, there’s this little gem of an “eatery” that I find myself returning to time and time again, even if just for a swift coffee fix. Their smoothies and breakfast options are excellent.

Unfortunately, the name eludes me at the moment (I promise to fill you in once I find it), but spotting it is a breeze. Just look for the place with the endearing dog, almost always stationed in front, except when he’s busy chasing the cats.

tourist catsitges cat

Who is Santiago Rusiñol?

Santiago Rusiñol (1861–1931) was a prominent Spanish modernist painter, poet, and playwright associated with the Catalan Modernisme movement. Born in Barcelona, Rusiñol played a crucial role in the cultural and artistic developments of late 19th and early 20th-century Catalonia. His paintings often featured landscapes, gardens, and scenes from daily life, reflecting the influence of the Symbolist and Art Nouveau movements. Rusiñol was also a co-founder of the influential artistic group Els Quatre Gats in Barcelona, a meeting place for avant-garde artists, writers, and intellectuals of the time.

Rusiñol’s legacy extends beyond his contributions to the visual arts. As a poet and playwright, he made significant strides in Catalan literature, exploring themes such as love, nature, and the human condition. His literary works, like L’auca del Senyor Esteve and Cigales y hormigas, are considered integral to the Catalan literary canon. Additionally, Rusiñol’s role in fostering artistic collaboration and dialogue through Els Quatre Gats (translates to “The Four Cats”) left an enduring impact on the cultural landscape of Catalonia.

Today, Santiago Rusiñol’s legacy continues to inspire artists, and his contributions to the Catalan Modernisme movement are celebrated for their role in shaping the cultural identity of the region. The Monumento a Santiago Rusiñol in Sitges serves as a tribute to his multifaceted talent and enduring influence on the arts.

Have you been to any of the bars or restaurants near the Monumento a Santiago Rusiñol? Which are your favorites? Did you spot the cats?

Should you choose to visit Sitges, don’t forget to shower these feral cats with some extra love. And if you happen to capture their adorable antics in photos, feel free to share the feline love with us on Facebook and Twitter!

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2023 update

The times have changed quite a bit. Nowadays, taking a stroll past the Monumento a Santiago Rusiñol might not treat you to the usual feline sightings. Your best bet for a whiskered encounter is the small enclosure with the cat houses.

The cat population has dwindled significantly, but it’s a positive turn. Credit goes to the local town council, now investing a lot more in spaying and neutering efforts with several annual campaigns. Dive deeper into this transformation in our dedicated article: What happened to the stray cats of Sitges?

feral cats program spainsitges strays

Other cat communities at walking-distance from Monumento a Santiago Rusiñol

sitges beach

Pin this article about the stray cats of Sitges, Spain!

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