A disciple of architect Antoni Gaudí, Joan Rubió got some big commissions in Sóller. The town didn't want to miss the wave of modernity and so Rubió set to work in 1904 on the renovation of the 16th-century Església de Sant Bartomeu. The largely baroque church (built 1688–1723) preserved elements of its earlier Gothic interior, but Rubió gave it a beautiful if unusual Modernista facade.
The interior is gilded yet sombre with dimly lit chapels offset by the ornate altarpiece. Our favourite perspective is to walk towards the altar, and then turn for a view of the chandelier, organ and luminous rose window. The church's candelabra-like summit is visible from all over town, set against the backdrop of the Serra de Tramuntana.
