Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya MNAC – Palau Nacional Barcelona

bout the Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya (MNAC)

The Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya—known locally as MNAC—is the premier national museum of art in Barcelona, housed in the majestic Palau Nacional atop Montjuïc mountain. It sits above the Magic Fountains and the Fira 1 exhibition complex, making it a central cultural landmark in the city.

This Montjuïc Art Museum features one of Europe’s most extensive collections of Romanesque mural paintings, Gothic altarpieces, and Renaissance and Baroque masterpieces. It also showcases Modern Catalan Art from the 19th and 20th centuries, including posters, drawings, and prints that reflect the region’s artistic evolution.

The Romanesque collection spans the 11th to 13th centuries and includes the oldest and largest set of panel paintings in Europe. MNAC is a must-visit for anyone interested in the artistic heritage of Catalonia and the Iberian Peninsula.

Palau Nacional & MNAC History

The Palau Nacional Barcelona was constructed for the 1929 Barcelona International Exposition, inspired by the Vatican’s dome and the towers of Santiago de Compostela. Originally built to host art exhibitions, it became the permanent home of the Museo Nacional de Catalunya in 1934.

Between 1996 and 2004, the building was expanded to house the full collection of the Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya – MNAC. The central atrium, crowned by a frescoed dome, connects to multiple galleries. Inside, you’ll find the Sala Oval, a grand event space originally designed for the 1929 Expo’s opening ceremony, complete with a pipe organ.

The building underwent several refurbishments due to rushed construction and Civil War damage. Restoration efforts from 1960 to 2000 included work by architects Gae Aulenti and Enric Steegman. In 2009, titanium bars were embedded to stabilize the structure permanently.

Image Gallery For Museo Nacional Art Catalunya (MNAC)

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Map for Museo Nacional Art Catalunya (MNAC)