Palau de la Musica Catalana (Palace of Catalan Music), Barcelona

Palau de la Musica Catalana (Palace of Catalan Music), Barcelona (must see)

The Palace of Catalan Music is an exceptional concert hall that first opened its doors in 1908. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997, this architectural masterpiece by Lluís Domènech i Montaner stands as a true representation of Catalan Art Nouveau. What sets it apart is its remarkable feature of being the only European auditorium illuminated entirely by natural light during the day. Despite being somewhat overshadowed by the renowned works of Antoni Gaudí, the palace is unquestionably an architectural gem that deserves exploration, even if only from the outside.

The facade of the is a lavish display of traditional Spanish and Arab decorative styles. At its corner stands a sculpture representing Catalan folk song, which is very much a song set in stone – uplifting and inspiring.. Above it, an allegorical mosaic showcases busts of renowned composers such as Bach, Beethoven, and, of course, the most popular composer of the early 20th century, Wagner.

While entry to the palace foyer and courtyard is free, the main attraction lies on the first floor where modernist excesses truly run wild and each decorated surface is the work of fine craftsmanship. The spectacular stained glass ceiling, recognized as an engineering marvel of its time, is particularly worth seeing. But the wonder doesn't stop there. Take the time to explore the beautiful three-dimensional muses emerging from the walls at the back of the stage, and be astonished by the masterpiece proscenium framing the stage, featuring Valkyries in motion. Truly an astounding sight!

Perhaps the best way to acquaint yourself with the palace is to take a guided tour – these are quite popular, so advance booking is recommended. Alternatively, you may pop in for a coffee or tapas lunch at the foyer bar to sample the atmosphere and see plenty of modernist detail, or, even better, attend one of the concerts. The concert program includes classical music, jazz and sometimes ethnic music as well. The top-notch sound and lighting systems make the entire setting very intimate and fit to render any performance memorable if not the highlight of your Barcelona experience altogether! So, do give it a thought...

To fully immerse yourself in the palace's splendor, consider joining a guided tour, as they tend to be popular. Alternatively, you may pop in for a coffee or tapas lunch at the foyer bar to sample the atmosphere and see plenty of modernist detail, or, even better, attend one of the concerts. The concert program features a variety of genres, including classical music, jazz, and sometimes ethnic music. The superb sound and lighting systems create an intimate setting, fit to render any performance memorable – if not the highlight of your Barcelona experience altogether! So, do give it a thought...

Tip:
Don't forget to bring opera glasses or binoculars to fully appreciate the details, and be sure to check out the café on the ground floor for a pleasant treat.

Daily Tours:
10am–3:30pm (advance booking recommended)

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Barcelona. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Palau de la Musica Catalana (Palace of Catalan Music) on Map

Sight Name: Palau de la Musica Catalana (Palace of Catalan Music)
Sight Location: Barcelona, Spain (See walking tours in Barcelona)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in Barcelona, Spain

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