Barcelona Life

Palau Música Catalana

The Palau de la Múscia represents Barcelona’s most famous concert hall. It’s been hosting world class musicians such as singers, orchestras, choirs and operettes since over 100 years now. Built between 1905 and 1908, designed by the Catalan architect Lluís Domènech i Montaner, the Palau is regarded as one of the worlds’ most complete modernist buildings. The concert hall was built for the Orfeó Català, a Catalan choir which was founded in 1891. Among the many orchestras and conductors that have played the Palau de la Música are some of the most important musicians of all times such as Richard Strauß, Herbert von Karajan, Leonard Bernstein, the Berliner Philharmoniker or the London Symphony Orchestra. Classical Music, Jazz, Blues, Rock or Pop concerts take place at this amazing venue. Since 1977, the Palau has been protected as an Unesco World Heritage site.

Its architecture (Catalan modernista style) is characteristic for this place. Its creator Lluís Domènech i Montaner had to overcome the challenge to light up a building which doesn’t see much sunlight as it is located in the middle of old Barcelona called La Ribera. Surrounded by very old buildings, the architect used an unique mixture of steel and glass (mainly mosaics) to create a natural light effect to illuminate the concert hall, comparable to the light in a church. The center point of those mosaics is the amazing stained glass skylight at the ceiling of the main concert hall which is called/compared to a “drop of honey”. In order to fully enjoy the interior design of the venue, watch a concert from the gallery on the second floor. The front rows up there are considered as the best seats from an acoustic point of view.

The main idea of its creators was to bring together the best musicians of the world and create a connection and dialogue of local and international music culture. A hint for this can be found in the concert hall at each side of the stage. Facing the stage there is the stone bust of Anselm Clavé, a famous Catalan choir director, situated on the left hand side. Opposite to it the statue of Ludwig van Beethoven and above it a scene from Richard Wagners’ opera “Die Walküre”.

Both the inside as well as the facade outside of the Palau Música Catalana are tremendously stunning. There is a terrace containing 2 rows of mosaic columns above the main entrance which have stone roses on top of them. Each column is decorated by a different pattern of colourful mosaic stones. The back entrance is located around the corner of the main entrance in Carrer Del Palau de la Música. Outside the bar there is a nice square where coffee and drinks can be enjoyed in summer.

Those who miss out attending a concert at…have the possibility to join guided tours available in several languages during the day. A tour lasts less than 1 hour and costs €12. For more information about the Palau de la Música and to see what’s on check the website of the venue.