Museum of Spanish Contemporary Art, Palma de Mallorca

The Museum of Spanish Contemporary Art is closely tied to the extraordinary life of Juan Alberto March Ordinas. Born in 1880 into a poor family of pig-farming peasants, March rose to become one of Spain’s most powerful financiers. By the time of his death in 1961, he was reportedly the seventh richest man in the world and a key economic supporter of dictator Franco's regime. After a long and controversial career involving banking, smuggling, and wartime profiteering, March turned his attention to culture, establishing a foundation in his hometown.

The Juan March Foundation, founded in 1955, was created to support the arts, music, and social sciences. The Museum of Spanish Contemporary Art houses the March Collection, a private collection assembled by March and focused mainly on 20th-century Spanish art. The museum itself is located in a 17th-century mansion, offering an intimate setting rather than a large-scale gallery experience.

The entrance to the museum is easy to find: the words “Fundación Juan March Palma” and an arrow, both mounted on the wall, point toward a glass door. Once inside, pass through another door on your left and you will enter a classic Mallorcan courtyard. A curved staircase leads to the first floor, where the museum’s art collection is displayed.

The collection is arranged chronologically, beginning with early 20th-century works. Early in the circuit, look for Juan Gris’s Cubist paintings, as well as Pablo Picasso’s graphic works and engravings. Be sure to spend time with key pieces by Salvador Dalí and Joan Miró. Mid-20th-century and contemporary works complete the circuit, featuring artists such as Antoni Tàpies, Antonio Saura, and the Mallorcan painter Miquel Barceló. Altogether, the collection comprises around seventy works.