Even if you're not an art lover and the world of artistic genres seems as confusing as a labyrinth, we urge you to take a trip to the majestic palace on Montjuïc hill. This iconic building graces postcards and tourist posters. It's an essential stop, even if your stay in Barcelona is only a fleeting moment.
Surprisingly, despite its regal appearance, not a single member of the royal family has ever called it home. This magnificent palace was originally conceived as a grand stage for the 1929 Universal Exhibition. After this great event, it became the home of the Museum of Catalan Art. In 1990, contemporary art was born and the museum became the National Museum of Catalan Art, a witness to the ever-changing tapestry of culture and creativity.
WHAT MAKES IT SO UNIQUE?
The largest collection of medieval art in the world
The richest collection of Romanesque art in Europe
An extensive collection of Catalan authors from all periods
Diversity: of Catalan art and beyond, from the eleventh century to the present day
The sheer size of the museum is also impressive. Whichever day you come, it's hard to get lost in the crowds. So it's easy to get lost in the art. Unlike the Prado in Madrid, for example, photography is allowed. Another big advantage of this museum is the number of viewpoints. From the square in front of the palace, the restaurant inside and the museum's roof terrace, you can admire the whole city.
As you climb the magnificent staircase, an amazing transformation unfolds before your eyes. The palace seems to grow in stature, making you stand up straight - such is the awe-inspiring effect of this regal museum structure. The chic lobby, where the grand staircase leads up, invites you to pause and take in the atmosphere.
EXPOSITIONS
Before you start exploring the exhibits, I highly recommend buying an audio guide. If you save 4 €on an audio guide, you will hardly spend your time in a productive and entertaining way. After forty minutes you will start yawning and looking for "EXIT". You're just wasting your 12€.
Let's take a closer look at some of the permanent exhibitions.
ROMANESQUE CULTURE
The murals, frescoes and painted altarpieces that used to decorate the churches of Catalonia can be found in the first section. An audio guide will tell you about the process of removing the images from the walls, the history of the creations and their authors. Here you will find some of the oldest murals and panels in Europe. Some of the works on display date back to the 10th and 13th centuries! Exceptional metalwork, wood and stone sculptures are also on display. The colours, textures and depth of the scenes depicted are breathtaking.
MEDIEVAL GOTHIC ART
Dive into the next room! Here you will discover paintings and works in stone and wood from the 13th to the 15th centuries, as well as jewellery by Spanish artists Bernat Martorell, Jaume Huguet and Luis Dalmau. Two of the most powerful exhibits are the Pleurants and the mural paintings of the conquest of Mallorca, which depict grim realities.
RENAISSANCE AND BAROQUE
This room is dedicated to the development of the Baroque and Renaissance styles in Flanders, the Iberian Peninsula and Italy. An audio guide will tell you the stories behind the greatest creations of the period and their authors. These include the famous "Martyrdom of Saint Bartholomew" by José de Ribera, the most important works by Juan Bautista Maino, Bartolome Bermejo and Andreu Sala. In addition to these world-famous masterpieces, you'll come across hundreds of others. Explore the details, change the angle, and you're likely to find an exhibit that will make a special impression on you.
TISSEN-BORNEMICA COLLECTION
Another highlight is the collection of Baroque and Renaissance masterpieces donated by the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum in Madrid. Lest you drown in the profusion of faces and stories, think about the emotions this collection evokes in you. You can probably feel how quickly and unexpectedly your sensations change from room to room.
CONTEMPORARY ART
The Hall of Contemporary Art will cheer you up from its medieval gloom. You will see the furniture of the most important local modernist, Salvador Dali, and works by other talented Catalans such as Ramon Casas, Santiago Rusinol, Isidre Nonell and Pau Gargallo. There is also a selection of posters from the Civil War, which remain striking and stylish to this day.
After such a long journey, you'll probably want to 'digest' what you've seen outside. But take another 30 minutes to explore other areas of the museum. They are likely to be of interest to you:
The Department of Drawings and Prints contains works from the late 17th century to the avant-garde.
The Photography Collection contains important photographs from the 19th century to the mid-1990s.
The Numismatic Collection - a collection of ancient coins. Try to find the oldest coins in the collection - they date back to the 6th century BC!
PRICES
General admission ticket - 12 € (valid for two days from the date of purchase). The ticket allows access to the building, the permanent collection, temporary exhibitions and the Rooftop Viewpoint*.
Free for under 16 y.o. and over 65 y.o.
Terrace - Viewing platform - 2 € (does not include visits to exhibitions)
Admission to the museum is free every Saturday from 3pm, the first Sunday of the month and on open days, but you must book online in advance to check capacity:
OPENING HOURS
Winter season (from 1 October to 30 April) - Tuesday to Saturday, 10:00. - 18:00
Summer season (from 2 May to 30 September) - Tuesday to Saturday, 10:00 - 20:00
Sunday and public holidays: 10:00 am to 3:00 pm
Closed:January 1st, May 1st and December 25th
HOW TO GET THERE?
Metro: L1, L3 / to Pl. Espanya
By bus:
№ 55 (stops Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya-Museu Etnologic)
№ 150 (stops at Pl. Espanya-Av. de l'Estadi, Piscines Picornell-Museu Nacional)
№ 13 (Av. Francesc Ferrer i Guardia-Poble Espanyol stop)
