Palau de la Música Catalana

Barcelona’s concert hall as a work of art

Designed by Lluís Domènech i Montaner and inaugurated in 1908 as the home of the Orfeó Català, the Palau de la Música Catalana is both an active concert venue and one of Barcelona’s defining works of Catalan Modernism. Its facade layers sculpture, mosaic, and colorful columns; inside, stained glass and a central skylight make the concert hall feel as much like a piece of art as a room for music. The building is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Music is still at its center

The Palau’s program brings audiences to the hall for concerts, while its relationship with the Orfeó Català keeps choral music and community activity close to the institution’s roots. Visitors can also explore the building through guided, self-guided, audio-guided, and themed tours. The classic guided route looks at the architecture and history, including areas that are not always open to the public; access to the stage depends on availability.

A visit for both the eye and the ear

For travelers with time for only one cultural stop, the Palau offers two ways to experience the same landmark: hear a performance in the concert hall or follow the details of the building at close range. Its mosaics, stained glass, sculpture, and natural-light-filled auditorium make the architecture an attraction in its own right.