Guide to Barcelona

MACBA Barcelona

Friday, 08 May 2009 08:59

In and Around Barcelona

The Museu d´art contemperani de Barcelona is  devoted to the exhibition of modern art  works created during the second half of the twentieth century. It can be found in the oh-so-hip neighborhood of El Raval, close to the Center of Contemporary Culture.

The idea of establishing a museum in the city with these characteristics began with writer and art critic Alexandre Cirici-Pellicer, who, in 1959, gathered a collection of works. Cirici, with the help of other art enthusiasts, gradually expanded the collection. They held several exhibitions with works by artists of the time. The exhibition Art and Peace, held in 1963, had a clear anti-Franco theme and meant the end of the idea of Cirici. The works so far collected were deposited in the Museum Victor Balaguer.

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The idea was not picked up again until 1985. A consortium was created which formed part of the City of Barcelona and the Generalitat of Catalonia and it was decided to locate the new museum in the old Casa de la Cari­dad. The idea was again put on hold until in 1986 when the then mayor of Barcelona, Pasqual Maragall, commissioned a new building to be the site of the future museum.  MACBA opened its doors on November 28, 1995.

The construction of  the museum was designed by American architect Richard Meier. Meirs´ building seeks to unite contemporary art exhibited in the interior with the historical forms of nearby buildings. The entrance to the MACBA gives access to a cylindrical lobby from which access by a ramp to the various galleries where exhibitions are held. The use of white, complemented by the use of glass skylights and reflective materials, gives the building a maginificent sense of light and airiness.

The Museum is now the height of cool, even more so thanks to the skateboarders in the sqaure outside. The square is apparently a world famous skate spot.

Here are links to our most selected Barcelona holiday apartments near the MACBA:

Las Ramblas apartment 1, Las Ramblas apartment 2, Sunny and Central, Studio with terrace 1, Studio with terrace 2, Rooftop in the old city...