LLEI D'ART 13

onmuseums TheNational ArtMuseumof Catalonia Barcelona Located in theMontjuïcNational Palace - constructed for the 1929 International Exposition - themuseumopened its doors in1934, andwas home to a largepart of its current medieval collection. In 1995, themuseum inaugurated its rooms dedicated to exhibiting itsRomanesque art collection, which is one of themost complete in theworld. The headquarters of themuseum, theNational Palace, was erectedbasedon anoriginal proposal by the architect JosepPuig i Cadafalch in 1915. His design incorporated the creationof a large central avenue that led to a large rectangular palacewith a largedomewhose summit would be toppedwith awinged sculpturedepictingVictory, surroundedby eight towers. Themuseum’smagnificent oval hall welcomed the inauguration in thepresence of KingAlphonseXIII and QueenVictoriaEugenia.With a current footprint of over 50,000 squaremeters, thepalace is a classical- and Renaissance-inspiredbuilding, with a rectangular shapewith two sidewings. The facade is crownedwith a largedome inspiredbySt. Peter’s, with twomore smaller domes on each side, and four towers thatmake vague reference to the cathedral inSantiagodeCompostela. From its viewpoint on the topofMontjuïcmountain, it enjoys aprivileged location fromwhere exceptional views out over theCatalan capital spreadout beneath your feet. Themain entrance is via a large staircase flankedby thepopular illuminated fountains, by the handof CarlesBuïgas. Erected in just three years, thebuilding is thework of the architects EugenioCendoya andEnricCatà under the Sala oval actualmente/ Oval hall now . Foto/ Photo BartoloméMuñoz 139