ICONO
Excellence
MONTSERRAT, SEAN SCULLY ART SPACE & COLONIA GÜELL Nature, Spirituality and Culture. Three key areas that mark our visit to Montserrat. This rocky massif located 45 km from Barcelona, the most iconic mountain in Catalonia, combines an impressive history with a unique natural landscape.
Discover Gaudi’s best kept treasure: Crypt Güell. Gaudí’s laboratory, where he experimented with all the innovations he would later use for the Sagrada Familia.
Santa Cecilia de Montserrat is over a thousand years old and full of spiritual, historic and artistic meaning. The Romanesque church which was restored between 2013 and 2015 by Barcelona Provincial Council and decorated with the art of Sean Scully, has become an example of Christianity meeting the highest standard of avant-garde art.
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A MORE EXCLUSIVE GAUDÍ Discover a Gaudí less seen, more exclusive and, therefore, more exciting! VIP visits to the recently opened Casa Vicens and to Torre Bellesguard. Little is known about the personal life of Gaudí, but we are fortunate enough to be able to enjoy his architecture. His grand projects tell us a lot about him, but it is fascinating to be able to explore his more exclusive works, built for families who put their trust in a young architect which makes these buildings unique! At barely 30 years old at the beginning of his career, Antoni Gaudí built a house for Manuel Vicens as a summer residence in what was then the village of Gràcia. Two years later, what is probably the first example of Catalan modernism was finished. The building’s forms were inspired by nature, something authentically Gaudi, and broke the architectural standards of the time in Catalonia. Torre Bellesguard was built with straight forms not often seen in his work, inspired by the medieval castle of Martín I the Humane, the last king in the Catalan dynasty of the House of Barcelona, who resided at Bellesguard until his death in 1410. Gaudí built a castle halfway between modernism and the gothic style and restored the ruins of the medieval palace which are now part of the estate’s gardens. Both visits provide unique options to give an exclusive experience to our clients.
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HIDDEN TREASURUES Barcelona has many secrets to discover. Icono launches a new tour that takes you beyond the traditional tourist circuit. With this tour you will explore the most secret and intriguing corners of the Gothic Quarter and discover the best views, a more exclusive GaudĂ, the most historic sweets in the city, some modernist gems, and you will be able to try a glass of cava in a Roman cave. The organised tour has various options depending on the schedule and number of participants and access to some of the sights may require a minimum level of fitness. As always, we organise the best tour according to your needs and interests! Discover a more relaxed Barcelona, full of history, art, curiosities and, above all, secrets.
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ALELLA: VINEYARDS, MODERNISM AND GASTRONOMY Alella is a small town located in the region of Maresme, between the Mediterranean Sea and the Serralada del Litoral coastal mountain range. It is known for its vineyards and wine production, just 15 km from Barcelona. Experience wines with Denominaciรณn de Origen!
An experience that allows us to discover a Catalan farmhouse from the 14th century. Stroll through its organic vineyards, explore the culture of vermouth and tapas, and visit Alella, a town that has one of the richest heritages in the region. All the wineries in the region offer unique private experiences such as a picnic in the vineyard, 4x4 excursions, etc.
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PALAU DE LA MÚSICA EXCLUSIVE VISIT Visit a unique architectural jewel! The Catalan Palau de la Música was built between 1905 and 1908 by the modernist architect Lluís Domènech i Montaner as the headquarters for the Catalan choral society, Orfeó Català, and was funded by public donations. The building is located in the area of Sant Pere, one of the most beautiful areas in Barcelona. We offer an exceptional visit designed for those looking to discover spaces not usually open on regular tours. The tour includes: Concert Auditorium, Lluís Millet Hall with its balcony, Orfeó Català Rehearsal Room on the sixth floor, and the attic of the modernist building from where you can see the stage and terrace. A reserved space in the foyer for a coffee break or a glass of cava according to your preference.
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MUSEU NACIONAL D’ART DE CATALUNYA EXCLUSIVE VISIT An experience for Genuine Art Lovers! The Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya is located in the Palau Nacional of Montjuïc, built for the International Exposition of 1929. In 1934 it opened its doors as the Museu d'Art de Catalunya, bringing together its medieval collection. Then, in 1995, as the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya, the new rooms of Romanesque art were inaugurated and the public collection was gradually expanded until 2004 with a new display of modern art. Icono offers exclusive visits for small groups. You can visit the museum’s private collection in the storerooms, discover the architecture and history of the National Palace, see the restoration workshop and how the museum operates in the hands of its experts and specialists, enjoy an exceptional viewing point overlooking Barcelona and also get closer to the collections by focusing on a specific theme.
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PICASSO MUSEUM EXCLUSIVE VISIT Picasso lived in Barcelona during the critical years of his formative period. In Barcelona’s Picasso Museum, opened in 1963, the genius of the young Pablo Picasso is revealed through over 4,200 pieces that make up the permanent collection, a large number of which are famous worldwide. The Museum also offers the possibility to enjoy a private visit to the permanent collection with specialised guides who will show you the collection in your preferred language. Visitors can enjoy a completely exclusive and private tour. This visit can be extended to include the temporary exhibition on view at the time. The private visit can be a one-off activity or to accompany a business meeting, a cocktail party, a dinner or any other private event, offering clients a unique and exclusive experience.
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SAGRADA FAMĂ?LIA & ESPAI SUBIRACHS The Sagrada Familia is the most famous and iconic monument in Barcelona. As the finest example of modernist architecture created by GaudĂ, thousands of tourists visit each day to admire the unusual, albeit unfinished, church. Five generations have already passed watching the church evolve. Today construction continues and it should be finished by around 2030. The Basilica of the Sagrada Familia has become the symbol of Barcelona and a visit is essential. Complement your visit with this new exhibition space dedicated to Josep Subirachs, the creator of the Passion facade, among many other works that range from engravings to sculptures. The museum has around 100 pieces and shows the chronological evolution of the artist through some of his most representative pieces.
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CONTEMPORARY ART & BARCELONA We start our tour with a visit to Can Framis, a contemporary painting museum located in an old wool factory connected with two industrial buildings from the 18th century and a third new building, located in the 22@ district in Barcelona.
Later on, we head to MACBA, the Contemporary Art Museum of Barcelona, located in the city centre and designed by the American artist Richard Meier. The building’s architecture is unmistakeably based on rationalism and alludes to the masters of modern architecture such as Le Corbusier. Finally we move on to the Alorda-Derksen or AD Foundation, where we will be able to enjoy the private avant-garde contemporary art collection that the family of Manuel Alorda and Hanneke Derksen have shared with the city of Barcelona.
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