MACBA The Barcelona Museum of Contemporary Art

The history of the Museum of Contemporary Art (MACBA) goes back to 1959 when art critic Alexandre Cirici Pellicer championed the idea of creating a museum of contemporary art in Barcelona. Cirici and Cesáreo Rodríguez Aguilera headed a group which began to gather together a collection which would serve as the foundation of the future museum; an active platform for irradiating contemporary art.

The MACBA, designed by American architect Richard Meier. His architecture is clearly based on rationalism and alludes to the masters of Modern Architecture, particularly Le Corbusier, by combining straight and curved lines to establish a dialogue between interior space and exterior illumination which filters into the galleries through large skylights.

The MACBA Foundation manages the permanent collection, which dates from the mid-20th century onward. There are three periods of modern art represented: the first one covers the forties to the sixties; the second spans the sixties and seventies; the third period is contemporary. The collections focus on post-1945 Catalan and Spanish art, although some International artists are also represented.

MACBA is situated in Plaça dels Angels 1. The closest metro stations are Catalunya and Universitat.
Opposite the main museum, in the medieval Convent dels Àngels for which the square is named, a chapel has been converted into a separate exposition area known as the Capella del MACBA, with regular video art performances. Entrance to this part of the museum is free. Another contemporary art museum, Centre de Cultura Contemporània de Barcelona (CCCB), is adjacent to MACBA, and accessible both from the street and from the inner patio.

The surrounding square and architecture outside of the museum is among the most well-known and respected places for modern skateboarding. Together with surrounding places in Barcelona, it is a meeting ground in youth culture due to its reputation in the world of skateboarding photography and cinema.

Ciutadella Parc

The Parc de la Ciutadella is Barcelona's most central park. For those on a budget - it's free, and there are some beautiful fountains - in particular cascada whose deisgn is based on the trevi fountain in Rome. It's designer was assisted by Gaudi who was at the time of building a student.This park is also home to the city zoo and some museums.

The building of the zoo was constructed in 1888 for an International Exhibition. The architect of building was famous Domenech I Montaner. Place looks like a castle from outside. Actually it was projected looking to example of Valencia’s gothic style. Here is museum of Zoologia from 1937. Some time ago place was famous as a school of modernism art.

Catalan parliament is located in beautiful Citadela park as well, actually with Cascades fountain it forms central places of park. Parlament, firstly was used as military arsenal, was modeled by Prospero de Verboom and built in 1716 – 1748. Some time till 1932 it was used as art museum, later – as Parlament. Only in 1980 it got full rights to make Parlament sessions here.Existence of institution of Catalan Parlament shows that there is autonomy of this Catalonia region. I don’t know statistics, but I think that people here feel quite different from Spanish and would like to get independence.

CosmoCaixa Barcelona’s natural sciences museum.

In this museum, everybody, young or old can enjoy themselves and learn a lot about Natural Sciences, trying out many things, and even experience tropical rain. CosmoCaixa surprises, not only due to the wealth of information and activities on offer, but also with its affordable prices.

Experimenting is not just something for kids to do here, but rather an experience for all of the family. CosmoCaixa has a total area of 30,000m2, or in other words enough space for exhibitions, a planetarium, a tropical rainforest, conference rooms, a shop, cafe and picnic areas.

Location: Isaac Newton, 26, 08022 Barcelona

E-Mail: icosmobcn@fundaciolacaixa.es

How to get here: Buses bus 7, 22 and 58 and line 7 on the Ferrocarril to Av. Tibidabo walk up the hill and follow the signs for “Museo de la ciencia“ (Science museum) or just take bus number 196 right to the door or take the tram part way and complete the rest of the journey on foot.
Buses 60 and 73 stop in front of CosmoCaixa’s doors.

Maraton de Barcelona

Tomorrow 6th of March 6 from 8:30hs, like every year, the marathon will take place in Barcelona. You will see these athletes exhibiting his power, as many streets of the city...

You will can encourage at the athletes from one of the many points of animation you'll find distributed throughout this marathon .... the music and dance will give extra strength to these sport people.

The departure will be at 8:30 am on Avenida Reina Maria Cristina, and the estimated arrival of the first row: 10:40 AM to the Avenida María Cristina.