Barcelona: MNAC
Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya or in its shorter name MNAC, is one of important museums in Spain. Located on Montjuïc Hill, a hill that overlooks the city landscape of Barcelona. The museum is housed in the Palau Nacional since 1934, a landmark building built in 1920-ish. The Palau Nacional has impressive fountains and stairs to walk way up to the museum. Sometimes there are light and music shows in the fountains area, usually on Friday or Saturday nights. Unfortunately we left Barcelona before the weekend.
The museum hosts permanent exhibition of art ornaments of European art styles: Romanesque and Gothic art, Renaissance and Baroque art, and Modern art. They were recovered from various religious buildings that collapsed or damaged. The museum played important role in restoring these arts and in the end the collection was massive. It was so many arts that being on displayed that perhaps you have to spend at least three hours to view the collections just like we did. I am not an expert in arts and either my mother, then we visited the museum without expectations of what to see or should see, we ended the tour after couple hours.
The museum has an amphitheater or being called as Sala Oval. It is usually rented for social events or art performance. Huge pipe organs are available but I am not sure if they are still working or not. Quite impressive room. I can imagine the room is perfect for art performances or even certain sport tournaments, but I don’t think it is suitable for social events like wedding party.
Another area that I found spectacular was the Dome. The area is located next to museum’s restaurant (the restaurant looks so classy, and I read a review that the food was delicious), with beautiful crafting dome and huge pillars guarding the white room.
I did not regret visiting this museum. I find the commitment of the Spanish and the Catalans to collect and restore the arts like paintings and sculptures that matter to their history is remarkable. Some paintings are also unique. You can skip visiting the museum if exhibition of various artists is not of your interest, however, do not miss to visit the Palau Nacional (the museum’s building) when you were in Barcelona. You can walk around the complex to enjoy the view of Barcelona from the hills or enjoying the fountains of the Palau Nacional.
Practical Information
Barcelona Hop and Off Bus Tour has route to visit the museum. You can also take metro (subway) with direction to Plaça d’Espanya then walk to the direction of Magic Fountain of Montjuïc.
Official website:
Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya
Location:
Palau Nacional, Parc de Montjuïc, s/n, 08038 Barcelona, Spain
Opening Time:
Monday to Sunday from 10:00 to 19:00 (different time schedule applied according to the season)
Entrance fee: 12 Euro (year 2015)
Saturday from 15:00 and First of Sunday is free entrance
indahs: dive, travel & photography 
This one is amazing!! I’ve been to Barcelona twice and never went there, I had no idea what I was missing. Next time!
Interesting write-up on the Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya and pictures are so fascinating.
Thanks Indah.
Cheers 🙂
This time, we visited Barcelona in April, and our goals were Hospital de Sant Pau, the interior of Sagrada Familia, and some of the Gaudi’s buildings. Probably, next time it will be MNAC.
Thank you.
It is quite huge museum, personally I really like the view and scenery of Barcelona from the hill and the building is really beautiful! Thank you Victor!
awesome photos! I’ve been to Barcelona, but haven’t been there!