National Palace (Barcelona): history, architecture, location, opening hours and other useful information

The National Palace, decorating the Plaza of Spain in Barcelona - the pearl of Spanish academic classicism, is one of the most visited places in the country. Since the beginning of the last century, the National Museum of Art of Catalonia has been opened here . The National Palace (Barcelona, Spain) is the place from which it is best to begin acquaintance with the distinctive and freedom-loving Catalonia.

History. Architecture. Composition

The Plaza of Spain appeared in Barcelona in 1929. The city then hosted the World Exhibition, and the new square became the center of the main events, and the opening and closing ceremonies took place in the palace. Copies of Venetian campaigners, a magical fountain with illumination and a wide avenue of Maria-Christina - all this was intended to symbolize the national spirit and indivisibility of Spain. The center of the architectural composition was the National Palace. Barcelona is a city of historical and architectural masterpieces, therefore during the construction of the palace a classical style was chosen, thanks to which the building blended harmoniously with its overall appearance.

The Spanish engineer and architect Carlos Buigas built a palace on the hillside of Montjuic, towering above the southern side of the city. Near the entrance is an observation deck. From the palace steps you have a stunning view of Barcelona. The National Palace is one of the largest architectural complexes in Catalonia. The interior is not inferior to external grandeur - an oval hall under a huge dome with broken lines, a staircase of honor, decorated with stucco, private royal suites - palace luxury from the first minutes fascinates visitors with grandeur and grace.

Palace and Museum. From gothic to avant-garde. The Middle Ages and Modernity

1934 was a new starting point in the history of the museum. It was in that year that the National Museum of Catalan Art was housed in the palace. He combined the expositions of two museums, once once independent - the arts of Catalonia and contemporary art. Today in the collection of the museum are represented all genres - sculpture, painting, graphics, a large collection of numismatics is collected.

A huge interest in visitors is caused by a collection of rare exhibits of Gothic Catalan art - in addition to painting and sculpture, you can see bas-reliefs, fragments of frescoes, wooden sculptures. The collection of contemporary art covers the gap from the end of the XIX century until today. It includes all the directions of painting and sculpture - from neoclassicism to the avant-garde; A collection of photographs, prints, posters, drawings, a unique collection of furniture. You can immerse yourself in the atmosphere of real art by visiting the National Palace. Barcelona has long become a cult city for all lovers of fine art and creativity, and the National Museum of Catalonia is one of the best museums in Spain.

Location. Service. Atmosphere

The palace is located on a high hill, to the central entrance leads a cascade of waterfalls and stairs, but in order to avoid a tiring rise, it is better to drive up to the main building on the escalator. In addition to the museum ticket office, tickets can be ordered on the websites of ticket and travel agencies. Passing the foyer, guests enter the huge Oval Hall, from which you can go to all the museum galleries. There are signposts everywhere, elevators work, you can use the audio guide and free Wi-Fi - attention to the guests is felt here in every detail.

There are a restaurant, a cafe and a cocktail bar, and there are several observation platforms on the roof that can be accessed through the side entrances, the cost of the visit is only 2 euros.

The cost of the visit. How to get to the palace for free. Transport and travel

Find the National Palace in Barcelona is not difficult - the Plaza of Spain is in the center of the city. You can get here on the red tourist bus, metro or municipal transport. The metro line is red (L1), green (L3), the station is located just below the square. The numbers of city buses going to the square: 55, 150, 13, 37.

Entrance fee is 12 euros, children under 16 years old and guests over 65 years old visit the museum for free. And once a week absolutely everyone can freely enter the National Palace - Barcelona, like most European cities, gives the opportunity to enjoy the arts to all comers, it is enough to come here on Saturday - from 15:00 until the entrance is free.

In the museum there are permanent exhibitions and special exhibitions, the cost of visiting which varies from 4 to 8 euros.

National Palace of Barcelona: opening hours

• In winter (between October and April) - 10: 00-18: 00.
• In the summer season (May-September) - 10: 00-18: 00.
• On Sundays and national Spanish holidays, the palace is open until 15:00.
• On Monday, as in many museums around the world, it's a day off.
• The palace is closed for visiting in New year, Christmas and on May, 25th.
• Tickets at the box office stop selling for half an hour before the closing of the palace.

Unusual architectural solutions, outstanding museum collections, a cozy restaurant, observation platforms and dizzying views - all this is the National Palace (Barcelona), the real pride of Catalonia.