The Catalan Music Palace
"Palau de la Música Catalana" (Music Palace), is a concert hall designed by the architec Lluís Domènech i Montaner and opened in 1908.This building is the headquarters of "Orfeó Catala", a prestigious institution grounded in the year 1891 to support Catalan music and culture. This is why the decoration of the building shows some representations of the "quatre barres" (which is the Catalan coat of arms).
Inside the scene is a sculpture representing on one side the "Ride of Valkyries" and on the other side, the figure of Beethoven, sculpted by Pau Gargallo and Dídac Massana. The splendid central glass light on the roof was made by Rigalt and Granell. The façade is made of red brick and decorated with mosaics from Lluís Bru.
The Palau de la Música Catalana organizes daily guided tours of the Modernist Concert hall and, when available, Lluís Millet Hall and the Chamber Music Hall.
Tickets for Palau de la Música Catalana >> free visit or guided tour
The Palau de la Música Catalana is located in the El Born district of Ciutat Vella. It is one of the most emblematic buildings in the city and a must-see for all lovers of architecture and music.
The Catalan Music Palace is a UNESCO World Heritage Site
The Catalan Music Palace was built between 1905 and 1908 to house the Orfeó Català choir (an association of Barcelona choirs), which needed a larger space for its rehearsals. Today it hosts concerts and musical events of international renown.
The Palau de la Música is one of Barcelona's architectural gems, designed by the modernist architect Lluís Domènech i Montaner. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the building is famous for its large concert hall decorated with coloured stained glass windows, sculptures and mosaics, and is considered one of the finest examples of Catalan Modernist architecture, also known as Art Nouveau. This architecture is characterised by the use of modern materials such as iron, glass and concrete, as well as motifs and forms inspired by nature.
Specific construction techniques used in the Palau de la Música Catalana include the use of natural light, which is abundant thanks to the large skylights and rose-shaped windows. The structure also features colourful mosaics, sculptures and floral motifs, creating a unique and vibrant aesthetic effect.
The architect, Lluís Domènech i Montaner, also used advanced techniques for the time, such as the use of steel trusses for the structure of the building, which allowed him to create a large concert hall without intermediate pillars. Another technical detail is that the building was constructed without using steel beams, which was very rare at the time. Instead, the structure rests on decorative cast iron columns and brick arches, creating a unique and magical atmosphere inside.
Lluís Domènech i Montaner is also known for having designed the Casa Lleó i Morera in 1902, the Casa Fuster in 1911 and, of course, the Sant Pau Hospital between 1901 and 1930, which has also been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997..
Our tip: To make the most of your visit to the Music Palace, we recommend taking a guided tour to learn about the history and architecture of the building. You can also attend a concert to appreciate the exceptional acoustic quality of the concert hall.
Finally, an interesting anecdote about the Music Palace is that during the Spanish Civil War, the building was used as a garage for military vehicles, which saved the building from destruction! A miracle.
The Catalan Music Palace
Carrer del Palau de la Música, 4, 08003 Barcelona, SpainArea: El Born
Email: atencioclientSPAMFILTER@palaumusica.cat
Website: Palau Música Catalana - Barcelona
Opening hours: From 9am to 9pm
Prices: Visit guided: everyday from 10am to 3.30pm - Paying entry for concert: Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. - Sunday and holiday concerts: 3 hours before show time - Sundays and holidays: NO ADVANCE TICKET SALES
Phone: 00 34 93 295 72 00
Metro/Bus: Metro: Lines 1 and 4. Urquinaona station - Buses: Lines 17, 19, 40 and 45
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11 comments
I really do recommend a visit. - Frinniella (28 Sep 2023 - 07:50)
We don't talk enough about this palace, which is really very beautiful... Unfortunately, the façade was being restored at the time of our visit but the interior is simply magical. The price is a bit high, but like many monuments and museums in Barcelona, it's worth it.
Live performance schedule - Kathy Funck (9 Nov 2017 - 18:16)
Any performance for November 12-14
Any live program September 27,2015 Sunday day or night at the palau de musica? - Marilyn potter (9 Jul 2015 - 09:52)
Is their anything scheduled for September 27th at the palau de musica?
palau de musica de Catalan - marily potter (12 May 2015 - 08:56)
Are there any musical programs on in august 23-29th. can I get tour tickets on line?
Atentas preguntas - J Fernando Gómez-Pimienta y Hernández (22 Mar 2015 - 08:45)
Muy buenas tardes queridos amigos catalanes, aquí desde la Ciudad de México.
Mi esposa y el suscrito amamos literalmente a su bella Ciudad de Barcelona.
Queremos volver este año, y tener la oportunidad de asistir a conciertos en el Palau.
¿Serían tan amables de indicarme cómo puedo reservar boletos, y conocer el programa musical del Palau?.
Muchas gracias y saludos cordiales
Jfgph
A thank you and an idea - Alan Watson (6 Jun 2012 - 10:30)
Firstly, my wife and I visited the Palau de la Musica a couple of weeks ago. What a spectacular building! Our tour guide was most informative and the whole experience was one of the highlights to our holiday. Secondly, whilst perusing the setting, and listening to that evenings group sound checking, it struck me that this is a location which would be ideal for a concert by Peter Hammill (or even his group Van Der Graaf Generator!). I know that Peter does play regularly in Spain, and has done for over 40 years, and has a substantial fan base there. I feel that a concert there by Peter (and/or VDGG) would be a fine addition to the concerts you feature and would be interested to know how your thoughts.
por favor, una question, par favor - Martine Esparon (13 May 2012 - 11:15)
Me gustaria saber si Salvatore Adamo va a revolver en el palau de la musica de Barcelona el ano proximo ?
Gracias...
Martine.
concert sylvie vartan en fevrier - mariechristinedussottier@orange.FR (2 Feb 2011 - 13:15)
j ai pris des places pour un concert mais ou les retirer?
le palais de la Musique - 3131 (28 Jan 2011 - 19:00)
Visite exceptionnelle, à ne louper sous aucun prétexte.
Palais de la musique - jean-b (18 Feb 2010 - 14:15)
ce palais de la musique est génial... de très beaux concerts aussi... ^prenez un verre au bar qui est juste grandiose
belloo! - maría (17 Nov 2007 - 18:13)
Algo realmente bellísimo, lástima que no se continúa con esa línea arquitectónica.