MNAC National Art Museum of Catalonia Tickets Barcelona

The Palau Nacional and MNAC on Montjuic

MNAC is housed in the Palau Nacional, a monumental building constructed for the 1929 International Exposition that dominates the top of Montjuic. A grand staircase leads up from the Magic Fountain and Placa d'Espanya, and MNAC tickets open the doors to some of Barcelona's richest art collections.

MNAC tells the story of Catalan art from the tenth century to the early twentieth century. If you are wondering whether MNAC is worth visiting, the Romanesque section alone justifies the trip for many visitors, and the building's setting adds to the experience.

Romanesque murals and Gothic art

The Romanesque collection is the museum's greatest treasure. Wall paintings taken from small churches in the Catalan Pyrenees were carefully moved and reassembled in the galleries, so you can stand inside reconstructed apses, including the famous painting from Sant Climent de Taull, with its powerful figure of Christ in Majesty.

The Gothic rooms follow with altarpieces, panel paintings and sculpture that show how the style developed. Visitors often say that the murals look surprisingly modern in their strong lines and colour. Allow time here, because the rooms are darkened and the paintings reward slow, close looking.

Renaissance, Baroque and Modernisme

Further on, the collection includes Renaissance and Baroque paintings by artists such as El Greco, Velazquez, Zurbaran and Ribera, along with Catalan artists whose work is less known abroad. The modern art section covers Modernisme, with furniture, decorative arts and paintings by Ramon Casas and Santiago Rusinol.

Your ticket also covers temporary exhibitions, and the audio guide app helps you follow the highlights in English. Plan around two to three hours, and more if you like to look closely. If you are short of time, focus on the Romanesque section, the Gothic rooms and the terrace, and leave the rest for another visit.

Views, opening days and getting there

The museum's rooftop terrace gives one of the best views in Barcelona over Placa d'Espanya and the city, and it is especially beautiful at sunset. Opening hours change by season, and the museum is normally closed on Mondays, so check your date when you book.

The nearest metro station is Espanya, and there are escalators from the fountain to the entrance. The museum is a short walk from Poble Espanyol and the Fundacio Joan Miro, so it fits neatly into a day on Montjuic. Sunset is a lovely time to be on the terrace, when the city lights begin to appear below.