Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
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Museu d'Art
Wander beneath
looming Gothic
arches and relive
Barcelona's
maritime history
through exhibits of
model ships, old
maps and figure-
heads. A highlight is
the full-scale replica
of the royal galley,
commanded by Don
Juan of Austria
during the Battle of
Lepanto in 1571.
Entrance also includes a visit to
the Pailebot
Santa Eulàlia (see
p98)
, a restored wooden sailing
ship dating from 1918.
d
Av de les
Drassanes • Map K6 • Open 10am-8pm
daily • Adm
$
Palau Güell
Contemporani
An eclectic array of
work by big-name
Spanish and interna-
tional contemporary
artists is gathered in
the city's contem-
porary art museum.
Excellent temporary
exhibitions feature
everything from
mixed media to
sculpture and photo-
graphy.
See pp28-9
.
@
Centre de Cultura
Central salon cupola, Palau Güell
Contemporània & Foment
de les Arts Decoratives
Housed in the 18th-century Casa
de la Caritat, the CCCB is a focal
point for the city's thriving contem-
porary arts scene. It hosts inno-
vative art exhibitions, lectures,
film screenings and more, includ-
ing multimedia and technology
fairs during the popular Festival
del Sònar
(see p65)
. A medieval
courtyard is dazzlingly offset by a
massive, angled glass wall, which
has been cunningly designed to
reflect the city's skyline. Nearby,
Foment de les Arts Decoratives
(see p84)
is an umbrella organ-
ization of art and design groups,
founded in 1903 and housed in
the restored, Gothic-style, 16th-
century Convent dels Àngels.
Here you'll find exhibits, lectures
and debates, and a smashing
café-restaurant, Fad Food (open
Mon-Fri).
See pp28-9
.
£
Museu Marítim
For an artist, a wealthy patron
spells survival. The luck of young
Gaudí turned when count Eusebi
Güell recognized his talents. In
1886, Güell commissioned Gaudí
to build a mansion that would set
the count apart from his wealthy
neighbours. The result is the Palau
Güell, one of Gaudí's earliest
works. An imposing façade gives
way to an elaborate interior of
lavish pillars and carved wooden
ceilings, while the rooftop has a
melange of mosaic chimneys.
The building is partially open due
to restoration work.
d
C/Nou de la Rambla 3-5 • Map
L4 • Open 10am-2:30pm Tue-Sat
• Free
Barcelona's
mighty seafaring
legacy comes to life at
this impressive
museum housed in
the vast, 13th century
Drassanes Reials
(Royal Shipyards).
Puzzle table, Museu d'Art Contemporani
81
For more on Antoni Gaudí
See p11
