Discover the MNAC, the National Art Museum of Catalonia!
The National Art Museum of Catalonia (MNAC) is much more than a simple exhibition space; it is a leading cultural institution that houses an invaluable art collection, representing more than a thousand years of art history.
With works spanning from the 10th to the 20th century, the MNAC not only exhibits Catalan artistic expression, but also contextualizes it in a global framework, presenting some of the most prominent figures in Spanish and international art. The Museum defines itself as a space for everyone, a meeting point and open dialogue, where visitors can question the world through art.
A journey through the history of art
One of the MNAC's strong points is its impressive collection of Romanesque art, renowned worldwide, especially for the mural paintings from Romanesque churches in the Catalan Pyrenees. These works, dating from the 11th and 12th centuries, offer an unrivalled view of the religious art of that period, and make the Museum an international benchmark in this field. Along with Romanesque art, the collection of Gothic art complements this area, with pieces that show the medieval artistic evolution and cultural wealth of Catalonia in those centuries.
The tour continues with the rooms dedicated to the Renaissance and Baroque, where you can admire masterpieces by painters such as El Greco, Rubens, Goya and Velázquez. These pieces, many of them obtained thanks to donations and legacies from Catalan civil society, bear witness to the link between Catalan culture and major international artistic movements.
Image: National Art Museum of Catalonia
Modernity and its protagonists
One of the most important collections at the MNAC is the modern art collection, which traces the birth and development of artistic modernity, with a special focus on the Catalan artists who played a key role in this process. Here we find works by renowned artists such as Marià Fortuny, Ramon Casas, Isidre Nonell, Joaquim Torres García, Pablo Picasso, Joan Miró and Salvador Dalí. In addition, the MNAC has the largest collection of pieces by Antoni Gaudí on display in a museum, along with creations by Josep Maria Jujol, one of his closest collaborators.
The rooms dedicated to the Spanish Civil War are another highlight of your visit. These works reflect art created during one of the most tragic and intense periods in Spain's contemporary history. The collection of modern art extends to the second avant-garde and post-war periods, reaching up to the beginning of the 1980s, offering a complete overview of the evolution of contemporary art.
A dynamic and living museum
The MNAC is not just a place to admire masterpieces; it is also a space open to new experiences. Every weekend, the Museum offers a variety of activities for all audiences, such as guided tours with contemporary perspectives or creative workshops designed for both families and adults. In addition, the museum offers unique spaces such as the Oval Room, the café and restaurant, or the Terraces-Mirador, where visitors can relax, socialize and enjoy privileged views of Barcelona.
This dynamic and inclusive approach makes the MNAC an ideal place for all those who want to disconnect from routine, find inspiration or simply have a good time surrounded by art and history. As the Museum itself says: there is always something to do at the MNAC.
