Palau de la Musica Catalana (Palace of Catalan Music), Barcelona (must see)
The Palace of Catalan Music in Barcelona, designed by Llu铆s Dom猫nech i Montaner, is a hallmark of Catalan Art Nouveau architecture. Built between 1905 and 1908 for the Orfe贸 Catal脿 choral society, it was inaugurated in 1908 and awarded the Barcelona City Council鈥檚 1909 prize for best building. The Palace represents a unique blend of curves, floral motifs, and advanced materials like steel framing.
The exterior features a fusion of Spanish and Arabic architectural elements, including exposed red brick, iron, mosaics, and stained glass. Two colonnades with colorful tiles and busts of composers, such as Bach, Beethoven, and Wagner, adorn the fa莽ade. Inside, the concert hall鈥擡urope鈥檚 only auditorium illuminated entirely by natural light during daytime鈥攕eats around 2,200 people. Among other elements, it features a large stained-glass skylight by Antoni Rigalt and sculptures by artists like Eusebi Arnau and Llu铆s Bru, portraying themes of choral and classical music.
The Palace's main attraction is on the first floor, where modernist artistry is showcased through a spectacular stained glass ceiling and intricately decorated surfaces. The highlights include three-dimensional muses emerging from the walls and a stunning proscenium featuring Valkyries in motion. Despite its visual beauty, the hall鈥檚 glass walls present acoustic challenges, as noted by certain critics. Nevertheless, the Palace remains a symbol of Catalan modernism and a must-visit landmark in Barcelona.
Major renovations between 1982 and 1989 restored it to its original grandeur while adding modern amenities like dressing rooms, a library, and an archive in an adjoining six-story building. Further restoration in 2006鈥�2008 included reinstalling the lantern and other ornamental features.
To fully appreciate the craftsmanship, guided tours are recommended and often require advance booking. For a more casual experience, visitors can enjoy coffee or tapas at the foyer bar, while admiring the detailed interior. Presently a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997, the Palace hosts over half a million visitors each year, drawn by its architectural splendor and vibrant cultural programs ranging from classical music to jazz, with top-notch lighting making each show a memorable experience.
Tip:
Don't forget to bring opera glasses or binoculars to fully appreciate the details, and be sure to check out the caf茅 on the ground floor for a pleasant treat.
Daily Tours:
10 am鈥�3:30 pm (advance booking recommended)
The exterior features a fusion of Spanish and Arabic architectural elements, including exposed red brick, iron, mosaics, and stained glass. Two colonnades with colorful tiles and busts of composers, such as Bach, Beethoven, and Wagner, adorn the fa莽ade. Inside, the concert hall鈥擡urope鈥檚 only auditorium illuminated entirely by natural light during daytime鈥攕eats around 2,200 people. Among other elements, it features a large stained-glass skylight by Antoni Rigalt and sculptures by artists like Eusebi Arnau and Llu铆s Bru, portraying themes of choral and classical music.
The Palace's main attraction is on the first floor, where modernist artistry is showcased through a spectacular stained glass ceiling and intricately decorated surfaces. The highlights include three-dimensional muses emerging from the walls and a stunning proscenium featuring Valkyries in motion. Despite its visual beauty, the hall鈥檚 glass walls present acoustic challenges, as noted by certain critics. Nevertheless, the Palace remains a symbol of Catalan modernism and a must-visit landmark in Barcelona.
Major renovations between 1982 and 1989 restored it to its original grandeur while adding modern amenities like dressing rooms, a library, and an archive in an adjoining six-story building. Further restoration in 2006鈥�2008 included reinstalling the lantern and other ornamental features.
To fully appreciate the craftsmanship, guided tours are recommended and often require advance booking. For a more casual experience, visitors can enjoy coffee or tapas at the foyer bar, while admiring the detailed interior. Presently a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997, the Palace hosts over half a million visitors each year, drawn by its architectural splendor and vibrant cultural programs ranging from classical music to jazz, with top-notch lighting making each show a memorable experience.
Tip:
Don't forget to bring opera glasses or binoculars to fully appreciate the details, and be sure to check out the caf茅 on the ground floor for a pleasant treat.
Daily Tours:
10 am鈥�3:30 pm (advance booking recommended)
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Barcelona. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51爆料网: 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.
Download The 51爆料网 App
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:
Sight Location: Barcelona, Spain (See walking tours in Barcelona)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Barcelona, Spain
Create Your Own Walk in Barcelona
Creating your own self-guided walk in Barcelona is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Gothic Quarter Walking Tour
A walk through the Gothic Quarter 鈥� Barcelona鈥檚 oldest part, dating from the Roman era 鈥� is like a journey through time. The typical Roman grid plan is still visible in the quarter's layout. Only a few roads are open for car traffic, so there is little in the way of enjoying the narrow, atmospheric streets filled with high-quality architecture, numerous boutiques, and coffee shops.... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.8 Km or 1.1 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.8 Km or 1.1 Miles
Barcelona Shopping Walk
A long-time prime cultural destination, Barcelona is also en route to becoming one of Europe's top shopping spots. Each new day, fashionable designer stores, from well-known international brands to local start-ups, are filling the city streets. If you're a fan of shopping, you're in for a treat when visiting this beautiful city. Here are some of the most popular shopping locations... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.4 Km or 2.1 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.4 Km or 2.1 Miles
Barcelona Introduction Walking Tour
According to legend, Barcelona was founded by the mythological Greek hero Hercules on one of his expeditions, when a storm hit his boats. The first eight boats managed to escape without damage, but the ninth was lost at sea. Hercules found his lost friends some days later on the coast, all safe and sound. The boat's crew, taken by the beauty of the coastal landscape, decided to stay. On that... view more
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 5.7 Km or 3.5 Miles
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 5.7 Km or 3.5 Miles
La Rambla Walking Tour
One of the main streets in central Barcelona, La Rambla is popular with tourists and locals alike. Connecting the city鈥檚 old port with Pla莽a de Catalunya, it is filled with cultural and historic landmarks, as well as many terraces, restaurants, shops and street artists. Spanish poet, Federico Garc铆a Lorca once said it was 鈥渢he only street in the world which I wish never ended.鈥�
Start... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles
Start... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles
La Ribera Walking Tour
La Ribera is a culturally rich, historic area of Barcelona鈥檚 Old Town; somewhat less touristy than the Gothic Quarter (which one should really visit as well) and quite unspoiled, authentic and pretty. Centuries ago, it was a very well-to-do neighborhood inhabited by aristocrats, merchants, wealthy sailors, and Jewish money-lenders. Today, it is regarded as the Soho of Barcelona 鈥� a popular... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles
Antoni Gaud铆's Masterpieces Walking Tour
Antoni Gaudi, a seminal figure in the Catalan Modernism movement, is one of the top architects of the 20th century. The unique technique and use of natural forms in his works stand out from the pack and have left an indelible mark on the face of Barcelona.
Our journey through Gaudi's Barcelona begins at the G眉ell Palace, by far the most budget-friendly of his projects. Located near La... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.6 Km or 2.9 Miles
Our journey through Gaudi's Barcelona begins at the G眉ell Palace, by far the most budget-friendly of his projects. Located near La... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.6 Km or 2.9 Miles
Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip
Top 10 Spanish Foods and Drinks to Try in Barcelona
In the countries like Spain, food is a national heritage and cultural attraction in its own right. The latter is even more true of Catalonia in general and Barcelona in particular. Presented here are the 10 staples of Catalan food tradition, missing which would be a gastronomical...
Barcelona Souvenir Shopping: 17 Uniquely Spanish Things to Buy
Spain, in general, and Barcelona, in particular, are a treasure trove of all things exciting. Set your foot in Barcelona and you'll be spoiled for the choice of things worth trying and taking home. Before your head starts spinning, check this guide out to put yourself in the right...
10 Sightseeing Walks During Covid-19
Borders closed, flights canceled. As countries across the globe scrambling to curb the spread of coronavirus, it is nearly impossible to travel these days. For those with wanderlust at heart, living without exploring is a really tough challenge.
But even in times of hardship like this, one should...