The MNAC is easily recognizable: this superb Gothic building overlooks the Plaça de Espanya.
You'd think it was a castle, but no, it's a museum dedicated to Catalan art.
This imposing building will help you find your way around the city...
The MNAC is the perfect place to discover the hill of Montjuic and to see for yourself the importance of Catalan art. Several floors take you on a journey through the different art history: paintings, engravings, drawings, photographs, furniture...
To get there, leave the square and take the stairs or escalator.
Your walk will include fountains, plants, flowers...
And the view becomes ever more magical as you climb...
Enjoy the splendid view of the steps...
From the steps of the museum, you can a splendid view of the city stretching as far as the port. A popular spot for tourists, hawkers and street performers.
Before or after your visit to the collection, take the time to sit back and contemplate the beautiful Place d'Espagne with its bullring, columns and statues.
The collection of the National Art Museum of Catalonia
The collection is divided into floors and sections. It includes from medieval to modern times.
The artists featured have a direct connection with Catalonia. We particularly appreciate the modern period, with its art nouveau furniture, and the section devoted to Spanish War posters.
Catalan art in the spotlight
The MNAC is a museum dedicated to highlighting Catalan artists from the Romantic period to the early 20th century.
Remarkable artists have taken their place in the museum's corridors, including Antoni GaudíRamon Casas, Santiago Rusiñol, Hector Guimard, Josep Llimona, Manolo Hugué, Pau Gargallo and the great Salvador Dalí.
Personalities such as Georges Braque, Alexander Calder or Pablo Picasso are also presented in relation to their links with Catalonia and Catalan artistic movements.
Temporary exhibitions
Temporary exhibitions are particularly varied, lasting several months at a time. Some recent exhibitions have been particularly successful in comparison with their new look at Catalan artists.
Dali's wife Gala recently had an exhibition dedicated to her artistic career as writer, artist and muse.
Prices and rates
Standard admission costs about 12 euros and you can visit the museum during two days.
In fact, as the museum is quite large and the works come from different eras, I advise you to choose a section and come back the next day with a "fresh" eye to take full advantage of the diversity of the place.
As far as bookings are concerned, the MNAC is a very interesting museum, but it doesn't attract big crowds either.
To be sure of your entry, but only in high season and especially during rainy days (but it's not a very predictable piece of information either...), I advise you to book online.
Here's a tip: take advantage of free days!
Many days at the museum are free.
First and foremost, every first Sunday of the month. But also Saturdays from 3pm.
And then some days like May 18 (International Museum Day) or September 11 (Catalonia Day).
How to get to the Museum
Visit metro will drop you off Plaça de Espanya (L1, L3).
From here, you can take the escalators to the MNAC. There are also staircases and access for people with reduced mobility.
It's a very pleasant walk, as you get a good view of the landscape.
But you can also take bus 55 which will take you to the steps of the Museum, much closer (Stop: Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya/Museu Etnològic).
Timetables
The museum offers different opening times throughout the year.
From October to April, the museum opens around 10am and closes at 6pm.
From May to September, the museum stays open longer, until 8pm.
On Sundays, be careful, because, like almost all the museums on Montjuic Hill, the doors close at 3pm!
And on Mondays, the museum is closed.
Museum website : https://www.museunacional.cat/en
Other museums near MNAC
Other extraordinary museums can be found on Montjuic hill.
We immediately think of this Catalan artist Joan Miró whose nearby foundation houses a fine collection of his work, from tapestries to huge paintings. And if you have the time, don't hesitate to look out for temporary exhibitions, which are generally of the highest quality.
Also, the Caixaforumcloser to the Plaça d'Espanya offers a variety of exhibitions, from antiquity to modern art...
Don't miss Joseph Beuys' permanent installation.
Address: Av. de Francesc Ferrer i Guàrdia, 6-8, 08038 Barcelona
What to do after the Museum
When you have finished your visit, I recommend that you stay on the hill and take a walk along the Camí de Mar, a superb promenade that takes you from watchtower after watchtower to admire the sea in the distance.
For a bite to eat, you can also go to Poble Sec where small tapas bars are very economical.
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