Never-seen-before panoramic views over Barcelona

Barcelona (ACN).- Visitors of the National Art Museum of Catalonia (MNAC) will now be able to access its two terraces, with the roof of the National Palace balcony offering never-seen-before panoramic views over Barcelona. The museum has renovated its terraces so that visitors can enjoy an almost 360 degree view above the Palace by walking all around it. This intervention was part of the investment policy of the museum to increase its revenues (there is an entrance fee to access the terrace, visit the MNAC or not), while the space will also be rented out for concerts and other events. Director of the MNAC Pep Serra explained this initiative would help diversify the uses of the museum and give people a new “reason” to go up to Montjuic for a visit.

The museum has renovated a space of over 1,200 square meters, amounting to a significant part of the roof of the ‘Palau Nacional’. Visitors can walk almost a full circle on top of this landmark building which houses the National Art Museum of Catalonia.

The architectural intervention allows visitors to walk on the roof. They only have to climb a few stairs between the two viewpoints. The first terrace, located above the main entrance of the NationalPalace, gives on to Maria Cristina Avenue, thereby offering the most spectacular views of the city. On the second terrace, giving on to the gardens of the Palauet Albeniz, visitors can admire views of MontjuïcMountain.

The investment serves two purposes. Firstly, it will expand the uses of the museum itself, which offers a wide range of exhibitions but can also be an attraction for many onlookers who wish to enjoy new views over the city. And secondly, as Director Pep Serra openly acknowledged it, it will be another source of income for museum equipment.  

The revenues derived from this new available space will come from two different sources. Firstly, from the entrance fees to access the terraces, either by general admission (a ticket to access both museum collections and the roof of the NationalPalace), or a separate ticket (3 Euros) to visit the terraces exclusively. Secondly, the terraces will be rented out for concerts and various events. At such times, direct access to the roof from the street will enable the museum to be active outside its opening hours.

Meanwhile, Pep Serra expressed his belief that this novelty would become one of the “attractions” of the city for tourists. “Visitors are always looking for viewpoints from up high and this unknown bird's eye view” –unknown for now –will have to become a part of their tour, he explained.