About
The Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya, known as MNAC, sits in the Palau Nacional on the slopes of Montjuïc hill in Barcelona. The museum is devoted to Catalan art, and its best-known holding is a collection of Romanesque wall paintings, many of them brought together from churches in the Pyrenees. The description given for the museum calls this the finest collection of its kind in the world.
The building itself is part of the visit. The National Palace is an imposing structure at the top of Montjuïc, and its scale and position give it a presence that stands out across the city. Approaching it up the hill makes a fitting prelude to the galleries inside.
What to expect
- Romanesque art: the wall paintings are the museum's core, offering a clear window onto medieval religious art from Catalonia.
- Catalan art: beyond the Romanesque collection, the museum presents the wider sweep of Catalan painting and related work.
- The setting: the palace on Montjuïc makes the trip as much about the place as the works.
Planning your visit
The museum is at Palau de la Nació, Parc de Montjuïc, 08038 Barcelona. Visitors can reach the hilltop by the funicular and cable car routes that serve the park. For current opening times, tickets and any changes to the displays, it is worth contacting the museum directly on +34 936 22 03 76 before you go.
Because the museum is set in Montjuïc park, you can combine it with other sights on the hill and with a walk through the gardens, making it a good choice for an unhurried day in the city.
