Palau de la Musica Catalunya, Barcelona

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A tour costs 15 Euro for an adult, but you have a discount with the Barcelona Card and we paid only 10.80 each.
I decided to add here a few photocopies of postcards of the interior (where you are not allowed to photograph) to show the luxury and kalediascope of colors that await you.
The first postcard shows those columns that I mentioned before, did I say they were "colorful", now you see that was an understatement.
The second photo shows the facade, but from an angle that I could not photograph.
The last photo shows proof of the discount we got with the Barcelona Card, we found it to be an excellent deal which saved us lots of Euros.

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Admittedly for me this was one of the big surprises in Barcelona and a GOOD surprise at that.
We arrived expecting to see Gaudi, Gaudi and more Gaudi, but found Lluís Domènech i Montaner also. No, don't ask me how to pronounce, my Catalan accent is attrocious. But he made a beautiful place to make music and I recommend taking the one hour tour or even better, getting a ticket to a concert there. Or even better, first take the tour so you learn about the construction and history, THEN get a ticket for a concert. A pity you are not allowed to photograph the interior, so I have only a few photos of the exterior which does not do justice to what you find on the inside.
The first photo shows you one thing, it is NOT on a main street, rather it is "hidden" down a side street and if you do not know where to look, you may just walk right by and miss it.
The second photo shows the front second floor area that has a number of colorful columns that are as gaudy as Gaudi.
The third photo shows what was once the ticket offices, those little oval holes in the columns.
The fourth photo shows the intricate decorations of the front corner of the building, wildly extravagant.
The last photo shows one of the side windows, even there "out of the limelight" on the side of the building in what is almost an alley, each floor, each column and its windows are individual and flowing with color.

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The Palace of Music was a design by LLuis Monanter who directed the construction of the modernism style in 1905-08. It has flowing and curved lines and sculptures abound all around. The elaborate frosting of the facade is outstanding, and in my opinion, one of the best looking structures in the city

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"Palau de la Música Catalana" was created as a place where the music could be enjoyed at its most. This concert hall was designed by Lluís Domènech i Montaner, it was built between 1905 and 1908.

In 1997 it was declared a "World Heritage Site" by UNESCO (together with Hospital de Sant Pau, see my other tip and travelogue).

Its interior is amazing, like a continuous sculpture, with the impressive zenithal stained glass window by Rigalt i Granell as central gem.

The exterior is very interesting as well, both the original part as he new extension building. From 1999 to 2004 the catalan architect Òscar Tusquets was in charge of the extension works, conferring the Palau its definitive aesthetic and functional configuration.

GUIDED VISITS:
Daily from 10.00 to 15.30 (August and Easter Week: from 10.00 to 18.00)

Catalan: 10.30 and 12.30
Spanish: 11.30, 13.30, 14.30 and 15.30 (16.30, 17.30)
English: 10.00, 11.00, 12.00, 13.00, 14.00 and 15.00 (16.00, 17.00, 18.00)

- Palau de la Música Ticket Office: c./Palau de la Música 4-6, from 10.00 to 15.30
- Les Muses del Palau shop, c./St. Pere Més Alt, 1, from 10.00 to 18.00
- Sale by phone: Tel. 902 475 485 (not for the same day tours)

9 € Individual
8 € Groups / Students / Senior citizens / Unemployed
7 € Groups of senior citizens, students and unemployed of more than 25 people

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Palau de la Musica Catalana is located in the heart of Barcelona, minutes away from Placa Catalunya. While concerts still play in the Palau, I would suggest going for a guided tour. Tours begin with a video presentation and then make their way through the Palau, giving you the opportunity to see the amazing architecture, design and decoration up close and personal. Tours run in the morning and early afternoon, and tickets can be bought up to seven days in advance at the Palau box office (in the lobby). Tours run in English, Catalan and Spanish with staggering start times.

In the lobby there is a great cafe that serves coffee and EXCELLENT chocolate-filled croissants (pop by for breakfast). Photographs cannot be taken inside the building and it is sandwiched quite close between its surrounding buildings, so don't expect great photo opportunities.

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This building is one of the most representative in our cultural history.. this is the place for all sort of concerts and performances located very near of Plaça Catalunya in barri gotic quarter closer to Via Laietana.. guided visits are affordable, just 9 eur and here is th elink for further information
http://www.palaumusica.org/palaumusica/

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This is the unique building of the Palace of Catalan Music. This building was built in the early 20 century and it is still a major site that hosting festivals and music concerts. For concert program check the official site.

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Simply stunning!

This is a World Heritage Site. Built 1905-1908 by Lluis Domenech i Montaner.

From outside you can admire the columns and mosaics but it is also possible to go inside and take a tour. Tours are 50 minutes long and run half hourly, starting from 10am.