Essència Palau: a sensory journey through the Palau de la Música Catalana 

The Palau de la Música Catalana music hall invites visitors to rediscover its architectural splendor through a unique guided tour: Essència Palau.  

Palau de Música Catalana (translated to the Palace of Catalan Music) is a modernism art nouveau architecture-style concert hall in Barcelona designed by the Catalan architect Lluís Domènech i Montaner. 

The tour immerses guests in the modernist building's history through their senses. The experience, available from Saturday until June 22, forms part of the ''Mirades del Palau'' series, an initiative designed to offer fresh perspectives on the cultural landmark.  

Essència Palau is not just a visual experience, the tour engages sight, touch, but most importantly smell. Developed in collaboration with Eurofragance, the tour features a collection of fragrances that resemble the ambiance of the early 20th century, allowing visitors to connect with the building's history and symbolism on another level. 

Press play below to listen to our podcast on Lluís Domènech i Montaner or subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. 

The tour moves through the site's most iconic spaces while featuring scents like a fresh bouquet of jasmines, a mystical forest and a packed theater.  

The scents mirror the naturalist themes found in the Palau's mosaics, stained-glass, and sculptures. The focus on the naturalist symbolism is understandable, as the Palau is home to over 2,000 floral motives embedded in the walls, floors and ceilings of the building.  

Ticket prices vary depending on the customer, ranging from €30 for general admission to Catalan residents' €18, or students at €15. These are available online.