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THE PALAU DE LA MÚSICA CATALANA

The Palau de la Música was conceived not only as a centre dedicated to music but also to the arts and cultural development.

General view of the auditorium of the Palau de la Música.

When we talk about Barcelona’s architecture, most people immediately think of Antoni Gaudí. While this talented architect brought some of the city’s most iconic buildings to life, Gaudí was not the only one who helped shape Barcelona’s urban landscape. One of the best examples is the Palau de la Música Catalana. Designed by Lluís Domènech i Montaner — who was Gaudí’s teacher at the time — this building was conceived not only as a centre dedicated to music but also to the arts and cultural development. In 1997, the Palau de la Música was integrated into the UNESCO World Heritage list, highlighting its beauty and stylistic contributions to Barcelona’s art nouveau movement.

The history of the Palau de la Música

The Palau de la Música Catalana has its origins in the Catalan Orfeón, a choral society founded by Lluís Millet and Amadeo Vives in 1891. This group, a cultural landmark in the city, was looking to place its registered office. With this in mind, the society acquired land to build it in the neighbourhood of Sant Pere, in the Old City of Barcelona.

The Catalan Orfeón commissioned the project from the architect Lluís Domènech i Montaner. As one of the founders of Catalan modernism, this architect had already carried out several important works in his hometown, including the Hospital de San Pablo and the Lleó Morera house a few steps from Gaudí’s Casa Batlló. The foundation stone was laid in 1905, and the work was completed three years later, in 1908. The building was subjected to two restorations and extensions in 1982 and 2000. In the two new buildings, a new façade open to a public square and the Petit Palau, a concert hall with a capacity for 540 people, were added.

Exterior

From its beginnings, the Palau de la Música was thought of as a way to exalt the achievements and Catalan musicians’ potential, and that mission is evident from the outside.

The building has two main façades: the original and the current one. The original façade used to be the only entrance to the concert hall. Made of red brick and ceramic decorations, this façade consists of two arches, and its columns include the original lockers. Above the main entrance, a terrace has 14 Corinthian columns, each covered with mosaics of different colours. Above them, we find the sculptures of three legendary composers Palestrina, Beethoven and Bach — as well as a large mosaic mural portraying a choir presided over by a queen.

Originally, Domènech i Montaner had built another façade on the opposite street. However, it was blocked from sight, as it was located just in front of the San Francisco Church. In 1989, after the church’s demolition, a boulevard was built in front of this façade. In addition, the original façade was covered with a giant glass screen, from where the building is still accessible today.

Inside

Inside, the Palau de la Música stands out for its light. The architect built the building on an iron frame, placing large windows and stained glass windows throughout. The lobby is decorated with warm-coloured ceramic tiles and parts, very art nouveau style.

The main auditorium is undoubtedly the central axis of the building. The concert hall can accommodate 2049 people. Upon entering the room, theatrical and naturalistic influences in the space are evident: the ceiling is decorated with plant motifs — such as flowers, palm trees, and fruits — echoed in the stained glass windows on the sides of the room. Over the second floor pews, we also find elaborate glass chandeliers hanging from a series of mosaic-decorated semicircles representing peacocks’ tails.

One of the auditorium’s most striking features is its inverted dial-shaped skylight. Made by Antoni Rigalt i Blanch, this element is approximately 20 meters long and represents a great sun that provides the room with natural light.

In front of the room, we find two sculptures that frame the stage. One sculpture depicts the Wagner Valkyrie Ride on the right, with a Beethoven statue at the bottom. The one on the left, shaped like a tree, is a representation of popular Catalan music. The back of the stage is decorated with mosaics and sculptures representing the muses. These figures surround one of the crown jewels of the compound: the great organ made by the German Walck house in Ludwigsburg in 1908.

Thus, it is no surprise that this venue has become a touchstone for symphonic music not only in Spain but throughout the world.

Exterior façade of the Palau de la Música.