Palau de la Música Catalana (Palace of Catalan Music)
Palau de la Música Catalana is a popular concert hall and one of the symbols of Barcelona, the capital of Catalonia. It is located near the famous Gothic Quarter and serves as a place where musical performances, operas, as well as symphonic and chamber concerts are regularly held. Catalan songs, Spanish pop stars and jazz music can be heard on the stage of the Palace. Many world celebrities have shone here, including Montserrat Caballé, Sviatoslav Richter and Mstislav Rostropovich. About 0.5 million people visit the Palau de la Música Catalana every year.
Video: Palace of Catalan Music
Contents- General information
- Tourists
- History of the construction of the Palau de la Música Catalana
Architectural features - Concert hall
- How to get there
General Information
The building of the Palau de la Música Catalana is very beautiful and is considered one of the most remarkable monuments of the Art Nouveau era. It was built with private donations at the beginning of the last century. The palace is richly decorated with columns with intricate capitals, balconies and shells. Inside it looks just as beautiful and is decorated with colored stained glass windows and elegant railings.
.The Barcelona Palace is the only concert venue in Europe that has natural light. Its importance is so great that the Catalan landmark was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997.
.
Tourists
When Barcelona began to build a new concert hall, it was planned to be used for performances by the local choral society Orfeó Català. It was formed following the example of similar groups in major European cities in 1888, when a large-scale World’s Fair was held here. The Barcelona choir performed the music of Catalonia.
.
The design of the new building was prepared by the master of Spanish architecture Luis Domenech y Montaner. In 1904, the city authorities bought the land for the Palace and began its construction. The opening of the Palace of Catalan Music took place at the beginning of 1908. The new palace was liked by everyone without exception and caused genuine admiration of the residents of Barcelona and guests who came to the ceremony..
A year later, the city council of the Catalan capital noted the architect’s merits with a gold medal, and the building itself was recognized as the best construction of the year. The Palace of Catalan Music was built for a separate choir, but very quickly it became the main concert venue of the city. It is noteworthy that not only musical events were held here. The walls of the Palace saw the participants of various conferences and major exhibitions. In 1971, the luxurious building was declared a national monument of the country.
.
Architectural features
In keeping with the Art Nouveau tradition, the Palau de la Música Catalana has more curved lines than straight lines. Forms that convey dynamics prevail over static elements, and decorative ornamentation is used in large quantities. The building is built around a steel frame, so there are quite large rooms and halls inside.
.
How to get there
The Palau de la Música Catalana is located in the city of Barcelona, in the historic neighborhood of La Ribera, at Carrer de Sant Fransesc de Paula, 2. The closest station to this location is the Urquinaona station of the Barcelona Metro. Near the Palace also stops city buses number 45, N8, V15, V17. You have to go to the stop “Via Laietana – Comtal”.
.
