National Art Gallery of Catalunya
Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya (MNAC)
Art enthusiasts visiting Barcelona must pay a visit to the magnificent
National Art Gallery of Catalunya which exhibits works of Catalan art from the
Romanesque period to the mid-twentieth century. In terms of collection size and
quality of exhibits, this is one of the best art museums in Spain, and no tour
of Europe's art galleries will be complete without at least a day's visit.
The National Art Gallery of Catalunya is a combination of three museums, and
the wide variety in its collection reflects this. In 1990, the collections of
the old Museu d'Art de Catalunya and the Museu d'art Modern was united and
declared a national museum. The collection is large and with the spacious halls
of the museum, most of it is on display. Unless you have a few days to devote to
the National Art Gallery of Catalunya, you'll definitely need to prioritize your
visit.
The galleries are laid out according to era and type of art, and you'll find
that a good plan is necessary to see everything that you want to see. You might
want to grab one of the free audioguides that are available in the front lobby
to guide you through, but keep in mind that you should make specific stops to
see things that interest you. In the Romanesque wing, be sure to take a look at
the exceptional Apse of Santa Maria de Taull, with its intense blues that come
from precious lapis lazuli.
When visiting the Gothic art, keep an eye out for
the small oil paintings of Jaume Huguet, the primary artist of the Catalan
school. You can also see important works by El Greco, Goya and Velazquez. Make
sure you take a look at El Greco's famous Saint Peter and Saint Paul painting as
well as Velazquez's evocative Saint Paul.
The modern art collection of the National Art Gallery of Catalunya is the best
collection of Catalan modern art in the world, both in terms of quantity and
quality. Of especial note are Ricard Canals' Cafe Concert and Ramon Casas'
Interior, but don't deny yourself the opportunity to wander.
Of all the wings,
the modern art galleries are the most accessible and provide a delightful stroll
though some truly memorable works of art.
To get to the National Art Gallery of Catalunya, the nearest metro stop is at
Placa Espanya, using the Green Line L3 and the Red Line L1, or you can take advantage
of the enormously useful Bus Turistic. The National Art Gallery of Catalunya is
the seventh most visited building in Barcelona, and not just for the art! From
the steps of the museum, be sure take in the breathtaking view of Barcelona that
lies below before you enter.
MNAC Opening Hours
| Tue-Sat: |
10am-7pm |
| Sun. + Public Holidays: |
10am-2.30pm |
| CLOSED: |
MONDAY |
| Official Website |
MNAC |
| Nearest Underground Station |
Placa Espanya |
| FREE on 1st Thursday of every month |
|
