Ciutat Vella

Strangely enough, the Palau de la Música Catalana, the so-called “building that epitomises Catalan art nouveau” wasn’t designed by Gaudí, but by his contemporary Lluís Domènech i Montaner (Barcelona, 1850-1923). This concert hall in Barcelona, which is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site, is an artistic landmark of outstanding beauty and a highly prestigious music venue.

Barcelona built one of its most magnificent buildings – the Palau de la Música Catalana – in just under three years, from 1905 to 1908. It was built at the behest of the choral society, the Orfeó Català, and commissioned from the architect and politician Domènech i Montaner. His team of associates included some of the foremost artists of the age, including Pau Gargallo and Eusebi Arnau, who created the sculptures, Antoni Rigalt who made the stained glass, Lluís Bru, who designed the mosaics, and Miquel Blai, who carved the sculptural group La Cançó (Song), on the corner of the building. The architect, in a modernista style, designed an innovative iron structure which made it possible to incorporate glass walls to allow more light inside the building. The floral motifs make the interior of the auditorium a true feast for the eyes, giving the Palau de la Música Catalana of Barcelona the appearance of a greenhouse with lush flowers and plants.

The expansion of the Palau, supervised by the architect Òscar Tusquets, has made the entire exterior wall at the side visible, realising Domènech i Montaner’s dream. The project also created a new 600-seater underground auditorium, the "Petit Palau", and a restaurant, "El Mirador del Palau".