The Night of the Museums is an event we enjoy every year. This free late night viewing of exhibitions is not exclusive to Barcelona but forms a part of an initiative running right across Europe. It doesn’t matter whether you are a local or a tourist. This is simply a great activity for all and it will take part all around the city on May the 16th, from 7pm until 1 am.

Some venues will include special activities such as live performances and music. Here is a guide to Museum Night 2015.

GOTHIC QUARTER AND EL BORN:

Museu D’Art Contemporani de Barcelona (MACBA)

If you are into modern art then check out the hip MACBA. Activities happening from 7 pm onwards include tours for families and workshops for teenagers from 14 to 18 years old.

Museu Marítim de Barcelona

The former Drassanes shipbuilding yard, now a museum, gives a fascinating insight into the maritime history of Barcelona.
From the everyday routine of sailors, to how their actual ships operated, the museum is highly educational. To one side of the building (on Paral.lel Street) is the most intact part of Barcelona’s medieval defensive wall.

To celebrate Museum Night there will be a symphonic orchestra performing inside the building from 8.30pm until 12.30am.

Museu de Cultures del Món

Travel through cultures from Asia, the Americas, Africa and Oceania at one of Barcelona’s newest additions. In honour of Museum Night they are putting on a concert of music from Northern India. It starts at 8, 9, 10 and 11 pm, and lasts 30 minutes.

EIXAMPLE AND ART NOUVEAU:

Fundació Antoni Tàpies

Tàpies is one of Barcelona’s most challenging and interesting artists. He is famous for using materials other than oil paint on his canvases.
The Fundació Antoni Tàpies is housed in a building by Domènech I Montaner, one of the earlier works in Catalan Art Nouveau period.

Museu del Modernisme Català

Keeping with the art nouveau theme, be sure to have a peek at the wonderful Catalan Art Nouveau Museum. It features a comprehensive collection of art, furniture and other decorative elements.

MONTJÜIC:

Fundació Joan Miró

This exciting 20th century Mediterranean structure holds a detailed and varied collection of Miró’s work. The artist was alive at the time of the construction and was involved in its design.

Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya (MNAC)

The Romanesque mural collection is one of the best in Europe, it features the fully preserved interiors of ancient churches from all over Catalunya. The Gothic Art section also is a delight. Modern collections can be found on the upper floor.

To celebrate Museum Night, a swing concert will be playing in the oval salon from 9 pm until 12 am.

As well as the Museum Night festivities, don’t forget that some museums will offer free entrance on Sunday the 17th or Monday the 18th as part of the International Museum Day programme.