Arts and Culture in Barcelona
Barcelona, a teeming, bustling city of more than 1.5 million people, may be considered to be one of the major cultural centers of Spain. With 4 kilometers of beaches, it is surely a natural tourist attraction, but the city has much more to offer than a day of sunbathing on its pristine shores. Art and culture buffs will find Barcelona to be a very fascinating destination.
The Joan Miro Foundation (Photo by Anthony Powis)
Museums
No visit to Barcelona can be complete without checking out its fine museums. The city was home to the great Pablo Picasso (Guernica, 1936) for many years. Thus, it is no surprise that The Picasso Museum (Montcada 15-23, 08003, Barcelona, +34 93 256 30 00, website) is located here. This museum features his early realist works as well as his more famous Cubist paintings. One is pleasantly surprised at the depth of detail shown in these paintings, and the museum itself is truly a sight to behold.
Two other major museums are named after artists. The Joan Miro Foundation (Av. Miramar, Parc de Montjuïc, s/n 08038 Barcelona, +34 934 439 470, website) is a must-see. Founded by Miro in 1975, it houses his major works, which number over 14,000 assorted art pieces. Tributes to Miro created by other artists can also be found in a collection that is a testament to his influence upon other artists.
National Art Museum of Catalonia (Photo by Rick Sooy)
The Antoni Tapies Foundation (Aragó 225, 08007 Barcelona, +34 934 870 315, website), meanwhile, concentrates on modern and contemporary art. Aside from housing the largest collection of Tapies’ works, the museum also aims to broaden its horizons by showcasing works from Asia, Africa, and Oceania. It focuses on a wide range of artistic genres, such as photography, architecture, and film.
On the other hand, those who are looking for ancient history can look no further than the National Art Museum of Catalonia (Palau Nacional, Parc de Montjuïc 08038 Barcelona, +34 93 622 03 76, website). It features an impressive display of Romanesque artifacts from the region during 900-1200 A.D. Its focus on ancient Europe doesn’t stop there, however. The museum also features Gothic art from the 12th century, gold and silver work, and medieval frescoes from the Pyrenees region.
Performing Arts
La Pedrera (Photo from Google images)
Culture is not only the celebration of a city’s history and art. It is also a celebration of a city’s performing arts. Barcelona has a vibrant performing arts scene, as active as any in the world. The city boasts of some of the world’s finest venues for the performing arts.
The Barcelona Center of Contemporary Culture (C/ Montalegre 5, 08001 Barcelona, +34 93 306 41 00, website) organizes various exhibitions, music and dance events, and workshops on various cultural subjects. It also coordinates both the Sonar Festival and the Ciutat Vella Flamenco Festival, both celebrations of contemporary and traditional Spanish culture.
Casa Mila, better known as La Pedrera (Passeig de Gràcia, 92 / Provença, 261-265 08008 Barcelona, +34 902 400 973, website) is another well-known cultural center. Its building in itself is an artwork built by the architect Antoni Gaudi. It was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is indeed a cultural center in every sense of the word. Completed in 1912, it features a recreation of an early 20th century flat, which captures the lifestyle during the first decade of the 20th century.
The Caixa Forum (Av. Marquès de de Comillas, 6-8 08038 Barcelona, +34 93 476 86 00, website) is one of the younger major cultural centers in the city. Its program regularly reflects major events in literature, art, and music.
Travel options
There are a number of options that make traveling easier. ArticketBCN (Barcelona Turisme, Rambla de Catalunya 123, pral. 08008 Barcelona +34 933 689 700, website) is a single ticket that provides entry to seven major museums in the city, making them more easily accessible. You can also buy tickets to concerts and other cultural events online at Telentrada.com (Tel-Entrada, +34 902 10 12 12, website).
Truly, the city of Barcelona is a historical and cultural feast. It has room for both the sophisticated art enthusiast and the fun-loving tourist. Each visit to the city’s cultural destinations leaves you with the feeling of delight. A tour of the city would not be complete without the cultural experience that it provides.
Picasso Museum
- Address: Montcada 15-23 08003 Barcelona
- Tel: +34 93 256 30 00
- Open: 10am-8pm Tue-Sat
- Closed on Monday & Jan 1st, May 1st, June 24th, Dec 25th and 26th
Fundacio Joan Miro (Joan Miro Foundation)
- Address: Av. Miramar, Parc de Montjuïc, s/n 08038 Barcelona
- Tel: +34 934 439 470 & 902 101 212 (ticket reservation)
- Summer hours 10am-8pm Tue-Sat
- Winter hours 10am-7pm Tue-Sat; 10am-9:30pm Thu; 10am-2:30pm Sun
- Closed on Mondays
Fundacio Tapies (Antoni Tapies Foundation)
- Address: Aragó 225, 08007 Barcelona
- Tel: +34 934 870 315 & 932 075 862 (ticket reservation)
- Open: 10am-8pm Tue-Sun
- Closed on Monday & Dec 25th and 26th, Jan 1st and 6th
Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya (National Art Museum of Catalonia)
- Address: Palau Nacional, Parc de Montjuïc 08038 Barcelona
- Tel: +34 93 622 03 76 (information) & 93 622 03 75 (ticket reservation)
- Open: 10am-7pm Tue-Sat; 10am-2:30pm Sun & public holidays
- Closed Mondays, January 1st, May 1st, and December 25th
- Free entrance: First Sunday of each month
Centre de Cultura Contemporania de Barcelona (Barcelona Center of Contemporary Culture)
- Address: C/ Montalegre 5, 08001 Barcelona
- Tel: +34 93 306 41 00
- Winter hours: Tues, Thurs, Fri 11am-2pm & 4pm-8pm; Wed & Sat 11am-8pm; Sunday & holidays 11am-7pm;
- Summer hours: Tues to Sat, 11am-8pm; Sundays & holidays 11am-3pm
- Closed Mondays
- Free for visitors under 16 years old
- Free every first Wednesday of the month.
La Pedrera
- Address: Passeig de Gràcia, 92 / Provença, 261-265 08008 Barcelona
- Tel: (+34) 902 400 973
- Open: daily 10am to 8pm (last admission 7:30pm)
- Groups of over 10 must reserve by e-mail or fax: 934 848 840
Caixa Forum
- Address: Av. Marquès de de Comillas, 6-8 08038 Barcelona
- Tel +34 93 476 86 00
- Open: Monday to Sunday 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and Saturdays 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
- Free Admission
ArticketBCN purchases
- Ticket Offices at the art centers
- Tel-Entrada: +34 902 10 12 12 / www.telentrada.com
- Tourism Offices in Barcelona
Pl. Catalunya, Pl. Sant Jaume, Estació de Sants - Turisme de Barcelona: +34 933 689 700 / www.barcelonaturisme.com
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