MNAC, short for The National Art Museum of Catalonia, standing in a perfect position on Montjuic hill, Barcelona, Spain, boasts a large number of objects of ancient and modern art.

Photography by radamantis_t

The name «National Art Museum of Catalonia» or as the Spanish say «Museo Nacional d’Art de Catalunya.» It is the result of the merger of Catalonia Museums Act, the Museum of Catalan Art and the Museum of Modern Art in 1990. MNAC enjoys a rich collection of Romanesque art from 11 to 13 centuries, which are mostly taken from chapels and churches in and around the area of Catalonia. These are the murals were taken to the museum very carefully.

There is also a unique collection of Renaissance and Baroque elements endowed by Thyssen-Bornemisza. Paintings such as three beggars – Il Pitocchetto – by Giacomo Ceruti and famous sailing ships on the coast near a village by Salomon Jacobsz are examples of items in this section.

There is also a section dedicated to modern Catalan art mostly from the 19th century as «Portrait of the artist and children» by Claudi Lorenzale using oil on canvas and Ruins of LLU s Rigalt.

Photography by St_A_Sh

The picture also has a stake in the MNAC including 6500 images of 19 and 20 centuries. Pictures like Riot Police taken by Agust Centelles on July 19, 1936 and the Columbus Monument by Francesc Català-Roca are good examples of photos.

One of the most interesting sections is The Numismatic Cabinet of Catalonia, covering 130 000 pieces of medals and coins. The rare piece of the drachma Emporion belonging to the third century BC, Messina Pirral belonging to Petter period II are shown in this section. Another piece that can not be overlooked is a real coin 10 Barcelona, Louis XIV period.

Gothic art has been assigned much of the MNAC. Gothic art was popular in the 12th century. A Gothic artist tries to include in the story all they could in a single painting sculpture or fresco. «The life and legend of St. Nicholas» is one example of this. This cool as its name makes clear, it shows a full account of the life of St. Nicholas. A tempera on wood piece in this section was the writer’s eyes altarpiece of the Virgin was moved from the monastery of Santa Mar a Sigena in 1918. Each of these masterpieces and hundreds of others is enough to convey the idea behind Gothic art.

Photography by james.

Perhaps the most interesting fact is that the dose MNAC not only to attract art lovers. To reach the museum must be about 100 steps on Montjuic hill at which point the view of Barcelona is awesome. There is also the majestic «Magic Fountain» which is very popular among tourists and although performing only 15 minutes each time, hundreds of tourists gather around to appreciate the work of Carles Buigas, the font designer. The Olympic Stadium, home of the 1992 Olympics, and a beautiful park located on the back of the museum is really worth a visit.