Palau de la Musica Catalana

The famous Barcelona Concert Hall - Guided tours & Tickets

Everything about Palau de la Música Catalana Barcelona, the music and concert hall in Barcelona. Visit the most beautiful concert building in the world

Palau de la Música, the concert hall of Barcelona

The Palau de la Música Catalana in the centre of Barcelona is one of the most beautiful concert halls in the world. The concert hall and music palace Palau de la Musica was designed by Lluís Domènech i Montaner. He was one of the architects who formed the foundation of Catalan Modernism. Construction of the Palace of Catalan Music started in 1905 and the concert hall was completed in 1908. The project was primarily financed by the community, but financial contributions were also made by rich industrialists and wealthy citizens of Barcelona. In 1997 the Catalan Music palace was declared UNESCO world heritage, together with Hospital de Sant Pau. Nowadays, over half a million people each year attend the musical performances in the concert hall, which vary from symphonies, opera, chamber music, flamenco, jazz, to Cançó (Catalan music).

Barcelona concert hall

The concert building Palau de la Musica is located in a narrow street, the Carrer de Sant Francesc de Paula, in the old part of Barcelona known as La Ribera. Most of the other prominent Modernist buildings, for instance designed by Antoni Gaudí, are located in the posh 19th-century expansion of the city known as Eixample.

The exterior walls of Palau de la Música are made of red brick, and the support columns and façade have been clad with mosaics. On the corner of the entrance, a sculpture of Miquel Blay is featured on the façade, also called the 'Catalan Anthem'. At the top of the music palace's façade, there are three busts; Bach, Palestrina, and Beethoven. The Palau de la Música was built with large windows and what stands out the most is the stained-glass dome that lets natural light into the concert hall.

Facts of Palau de la Música Catalana

• Architectural Masterpiece: Designed by the Catalan architect Lluís Domènech i Montaner, the Palau de la Música Catalana is a prime example of the Catalan modernist style, renowned for its intricate facade and ornate interior.
• Construction Period: Construction of the Palau began in 1905 and was completed in 1908. It was built as a home for the Orfeó Català, a choral society founded in 1891 by Lluís Millet and Amadeu Vives.
• UNESCO World Heritage Site: In 1997, the Palau de la Música Catalana was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in recognition of its exceptional architectural and cultural significance.
• Rich Ornamentation: The interior of the Palau is adorned with a wealth of decorative elements, including intricate mosaics, stained glass windows, sculptural reliefs, and colorful floral motifs, all designed to enhance the acoustics and create a visually stunning space.
• Natural Light Design: One of the most distinctive features of the Palau is its abundant use of natural light, achieved through the large stained glass ceiling and windows, which create a vibrant and dynamic atmosphere within the building.

Guided visit of 'Palau de la Música Catalana'

In addition to its regular concert programming, the Palau offers guided tours for visitors, providing an opportunity to explore its stunning architecture and learn about its history and cultural significance. Visitors can also admire the building's exterior from the adjacent Plaça de Catalunya. During a 55-minute guided tour, you will be led through all the important rooms in the Palau de la Música, including the practice areas, the organ, and the concert hall (book your Palau de la Música Catalana tickets online).

Video: Palau de la Música Catalana

Where is the Palace of Music?

The Palau de la Musica is easily accessible in the center of Barcelona and the concert hall is just 100 meters walk from the Urquinaona metro stop.

Close to Palau de la Musica are:

Arc de Triomf

Barcelona Cathedral

Gothic Quarter

Picasso Musueum