The Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya or Catalonia’s National Museum of Art is one of the most important museums in all of Barcelona, located just under the Montjuïc hill. MNAC occupies the Palau Nacional building, which as erected for 1929’s International Exhibition. The building’s beauty alone is reason to visit the museum, which was designed by architects Eugenio Cendoya and Enric Catà, but there is a lot of amazing art to discover as well.
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Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya’s collection
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The museum has an impressive collection or Romanesque Art, with a set of mural paintings which include some of the biggest and oldest ones in Europe. This collection also includes beautiful works in metal and sculptures in wood and stone.
MNAC‘s collection of Gothic Art includes works by painters such as LLuís Borrassà, Bernat Martorell and Jaume Huguet, and sculptures by artists like Jaume Cascalls and Pere Sanglada.
Their Renaissance and Baroque Art collection presents works by Ayne Bru, Antoni Viladomat, Joan de Burgunya and also works by international artists.
Visitors will recognize many of the artists whose work is displayed in the Modern Art collection of MNAC, which includes names like Pablo Picasso, Antoni Gaudí, and Joan Miró. This collection features a number of works created in different styles during the 19th and 20th century.
MNAC has a very vast collection of Drawings, Prints and Posters with over 120,000 works by artists such as Marià Fortuny, Ramon Casas i Carbó, Théophile Alexandre Steinlen, and Antoni Clavé.
The museum’s Photography collection is comprised of over 40,000 photos that were taken during the 19th and 20th centuries, with works by Augustí Centelles, Joan Colom and Oriol Maspons, among many others.
The museum also has a Numismatics collection with 135,000 coins from a variety of centuries, as well as medals and other decorations.
Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya also receives temporary exhibits of photography, paintings and sculptures. Some of the most exciting temporary exhibits they have had in the past include Romanesque Picasso, which featured 40 works created between the years of 1930 and 1937, Marianne Breslauer, which featured photographs taken between 1927 and 1938, and The Divine Morales, featuring exquisite works from painter Luis de Morales.
Education at Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya
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MNAC offers a number of educational programs for both adults and children. This includes workshops and a program of visits and itineraries that are taken in the company of educators who offer an in-depth perspective on the works presented at the museum. There are also exciting and interactive programs for families, such as Storytelling in the Museu Nacional, and The Enigmas of the Museu Nacional. The museum also works with communities that have people in risk of social exclusion and people with mental health issues, helping to enrichen their lives and stimulate their minds with art.
How much does it cost to visit Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya?
The price of admission is of 12€ per person. The temporary exhibits are paid separately, usually ranging from 4 to 6€. Students, groups, and families get a 30%. Carnet Jove holders get a 50% discount.
The ticket gives visitors the opportunity to visit the museum on two different days in the same month. The month starts counting from the date the ticket is purchased.
There is also the possibility of visiting the museum for free each Saturday after 3 pm.
Related article: MACBA – Barcelona’s Museum of Contemporary Art
What are Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya’s working hours?
The museum‘s working hours vary depending on the time of year. From October to April MNAC is open from Tuesday to Saturday from 10 am to 6 pm and on Sundays and public holidays from 10 am to 3 pm. From May to September MNAC is open from Tuesday to Saturday from 10 am to 8 pm and on Sundays and public holidays from 10 am to 3 pm.
How can I get to Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya?
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Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya is located at Palau Nacional, at Parc de Montjuïc. You can get there by using the green (L3) or red (L1) line of the subway and exiting at Espanya. You can also get buses 9, 13, 27, 37, 50, 55, 65, 79, 109, 150, 165, D20, H12, and V7.
Now that you have all the information necessary, do not miss the opportunity to visit this impressive museum. Before you leave, don’t forget to go up to the roof and take some photos of the view over Barcelona!
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* Main photo by Jafeluv via Wikimedia Commons
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