The overwhelming leisure offer of Barcelona forces us to make a selection of 5 essential museums to understand the artistic and cultural tradition of the city. Check out the "top five" museums of the city that should not be missed under no circumstances:
MNAC-Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya.
Located in "Palau de Montjuic" and built for the Universal Exhibition of 1929. In its early years this museum contained an extensive collection of Romanesque mural paintings. This is because lot of intellectuals wanted recover, revive and protect the extended medieval frescoes painted in the numerous Romanesque churches in Catalonia due to the sensitivity back at that time towards the elements that consolidated the Catalan nationalism. These frescoes were literally pulled of the walls using the “Strappo” technique and they were relocated in this museum for better preservation. Progressively, the museum started opening new art rooms hosting different artistic expressions, which chronologically shows the evolution of Art in Catalonia.
MUHBA- Museu d’Historia de Catalunya.
This space exhibits the remains of the Roman, Visigoth and Medieval Barcelona through a didactic and interactive tour. It is located under Plaza del Rey, where the actual archaeological remains were. It immerses us in the origins of the Colonia Iulia Augusta Faventia Paterna Barcino, which was founded by the Romans, and continued with the History of Catalonia, emphasizing those significant dates in the historical evolution of Catalonia.
Caixa Forum Barcelona.
Only for the space that houses the museum is already worth the visit. Located in an old textile factory designed by the prestigious architect Josep Puig i Cadafalch in 1909. It was acquired by La Caixa Foundation in 2002 and converted into an immense exhibition complex. The old factory has been adapted to the demands of its new role, making the Caixa Forum a dynamic, avant-garde space with a wide range of exhibitions according to the pace of the European museums of this century.
MACBA- Museu d’Art Contemporani de Barcelona.
Located in the Raval district, this museum is the most contemporary art example in Barcelona. It opened its doors in 1995 and since then has continued to hold exhibitions by the most relevant contemporary artists. The museum also aims to be a space for reflection, debate on the functionality of Art, and the continuous redefinition of this concept by society and the technical advances of the 21st century.
Museu Picasso.
The best collection of the famous Malagan artist is exhibited in this museum located in Barcelona. The original Gothic building from the 13th-14th centuries that houses the exhibition is noteworthy. This museum is an essential visit for Picasso's work lovers, as it offers a tour of his artistic evolution and exhibits some of the milestones that consolidated Picasso as an archetype of avant-garde artist.