Art Itinerary

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Inside Barcelona:

·        MACBA - Museum of Contemporary Art (El Raval). Designed by Richard Meier considered to be ‘must see’ landmark! Mainly temporary exhibitions (photography, video & graphic work).

·        MNAC  - National Art Museum of Catalyuna (Palau Nacional, Montjuic). Renovated by Gae Aulenti who did the Gare d’Orsay in Paris.  Medieval art & architecture, 11^th & 12^th century apses, reconstructed precisely as if they were in their original locations. Thought to be one of the best of it’s kind in the world!

·        MUSEUM OF MODERN ART - Has a great variety of collections of paintings and sculptures. Of interest is the collection of the group of painters who go by the name of “Catalan Nazarentists”.  Also paintings by  a number of Catalan artists including Ramon Casas, Santiago Rusiñol, Isidre Nonell.

·        FUNDACÍO JOAN MIRÓ - One of the most complete collections of Miró’s work in the world. The building (on Montjuic) was designed by Miró’s friend Sert.

·        MUSEU MARÍTIM - Housed in preserved mediaeval shipyards. Includes model ships, drawings, replicas etc.

·        MUSEU MONESTIR DE PEDRALBES - Monastery that is also a museum.

·        PICASSO MUSEUM  - Housed in two beautifully preserved Gothic palaces of Berenguer Aguilar and Baron de Castellet on Calle Montcada. The collection is strong on his early period.

·        FUNDACÍO ANTONI TÀPIES  - Housed in a striking Modernist building, off Paseo de Gracia. A permanent collection of Barcelona’s most internationally renowned contemporary artist.

·        MUSEU FREDERIC MARÉS  - Mostly religious objects from the 12^th to the 15^th century.

·        MUSEU TEXTIL I DE LA INDUMENTÁRIA - In a palace on the same street as the Picasso Museum. Limited collection of textile. Good collection of period costumes.

·        PALAU DE  LA MUSICA - One of the best examples of Modernist architecture in Barcelona (1905-1908) architect Doménech I Muntaner.

·        CASA MUSEU GAUDÍ (Parc Guell) - Gaudí lived in this house within the park from 1905 - 1925. The displays consist of furniture he designed as well as quite a few drawings & projects.

·        PARC GÜELL Combine this museum with a visit to the park which was originally intended to the an English style garden city. This enchanted park was projected by Gaudí but most of it was carried out by his disciple Josep Maria Juol. The undulating benched are covered with fragments of ceramic tile. Lots of animal references.

·        MODERNIST BARCELONA - Walk along La Rambla & Passeig de Grácia which has the highest concentration of different modernist buildings in the city.   Starting at Palau Güell (Nou de la Rambla), Antigas Casa Figueras (Rambla 83), Farmacia Genové (Rambla 77), crossing Plaça Catalunya to Passeig de Grácia - Casa Pascual i Pons (no. 2), Cases Rocasmora (no. 6-14), Roca (jewellery shop). On the “Block of Disagreement” because of the contrast between the major Modernist buildings, Casa Lleó Morera (no. 35),  including this one and those by Gaudí - Casa Amatller (41), right next door is the crowning piece of the “Block of disagreement”  Casa Batlló. The facade is covered with multi-coloured tiles and the roof uses glazed ceramic “scales”, follows the theme of St. George & the dragon. Casa Mila (no. 93) known as “La Pedrera” (The Quarry) built as an apartment block between 1906 - 1912 was the last block to be built by Gaudí and has been declared as a World Heritage site by UNESCO. It has a wonderful view from the roof and one of the apartments has been restored and can be visited.

·        SAGRADA FAMILIA (Holy Family Temple) - Architect Gaudí began in 1882, still less than half completed. There is a tiny lift which goes to the top or you can walk! There is a museum and you can watch the sculptors at work.

·        GOTHIC AREA & THE RAMBLAS - Santa María del Mar and Santa María del Pí. Plaça Reial and Plaça del Rei. Gran Teatre Liceu.

Outside Barcelona:

·        SALVADOR DALI MUSEUM - Figueras - 2 hours north of Barcelona

·        SITGES - A beautiful coastal town with it’s church of Santa Thecla and Saint Bartholomew. The museums of Maricel and Maricel de Mar. Cau Ferrat Museum, founded by the Catalan writer & artist Santiago Rusiñol, who donated two magnificent  El Greco paintings, on his return from Paris. 

·        MONTSERRAT - About 40 km from Barcelona. Benedictine monastery and Basilica, which houses “La Moreneta” - the statue of the Virgin of Montserrat.

·        GARROTXA VOLCANIC NATURAL PARK - landscape painting.