The Salvador Dalí museum in Figueres is a lot more than a art gallery, it’s a unique experience in the world of Salvador Dalí. One hour from Barcelona and highly recommended for anyone interested in contemporary art.
This unique and popular art gallery in Figueres is an exhibition dedicated to the art and works of Salvador Dalí, one of Spain’s most renowned artists. The gallery opened in 1974 and expanded throughout the 1980’s. The museum hosts the world’s most important collection of paintings, with many donated by the artist himself from his own personal collection. An interesting fact is the artist himself is buried in a crypt below the stage.
There are many Dalí paintings and rare early works, sculptures, optical illusions, jewelry and even a Mae West sofa. The amount of interesting exhibits makes this one of Spain’s most popular art galleries, with around one and a half million people visiting every year. The building itself also forms part of the exhibitions, as you will find out when visiting.
Who is Salvador Dalí
Salvador Domingo Felipe Jacinto i Domènech also known as Salvador Dalí was born 11 May 1904 in Figueres, Catalonia, Spain. The artist known for, and also a pioneer in, the art of surrealism and cubism. He created one of his best paintings, The Persistence of Memory, in 1931. This painting became one of the most important and recognizable works in the realm of surrealism. The painting is on display at the Museum of Modern Art, New York.
Salvador Dalís personality was one of performance and hidden traits. As an artist, Salvador Dalí craved attention, was egotistical, eccentric and flamboyant. Some would even say Dalí suffered from personality disorders and mental illness. All these factors considered made the artist just as fascinating as his creations.
The look of the artist Dali with his notable mustache and eccentric personality makes him almost as interesting as his paintings. Dalí had strong political views, including being a communist, a supporter of the dictator General Franco, and of being sympathetic to Hitler whilst at the same time being dedicated to the Catholic faith. Dalí had views on restriction of freedom and other strong opinions. He became known for very eccentric behavior, publicity stunts and egotistic behavior. If any artist had the personality traits of a genius, it was Salvador Dalí.
Where Else Can Be Visited Near Figueres
If you travel from Barcelona to Figueres and arrive early, you will be sure to have enough time to explore the area. One option is to leave The Salvador Dalí Museum and head to Besalu, a medieval and picturesque town under 20 km from Figueres. If you take the N-260 road from figueres, this will take you directly to Besalu. One of the most charming towns to visit in Catalonia, with the well-preserved Romanesque bridge and medieval narrow streets will not dissapoint.
On the way back from Besalu, heading towards Girona, you will pass Lake Banyoles which is just a 15 minutes drive from Besalu. This is one of Catalonia’s largest natural lakes, surrounded by rather picturesque surroundings. A place of beauty and tranquility, it is well worth a quick detour to visit.
Alternatively, when leaving the Salvador Dalí Museum in Figueres, you could stop at the city of Girona, just off the AP-7 motorway. A delightful city with many historic sights and attractions to visit, such as its magnificent cathedral. Girona has a lot to offer, so good research of what you plan to visit should be done beforehand.
How to get to the Salvador Dalí Museum Figueres
The best way to get to the Salvador Dalí museum in figueres is by train. You can catch the AVE high-speed train at Barcelona’s Sants train station. There are approximately 13 trains per day. The travel time is around or under 1 hour. Train tickets should cost about 15 Euros, but can vary depending on time of day and which train you use. The Salvador Dali museum is around 1 KM from Figueres train station and 12 minutes walk. If you travel by car, the trip may take around 1 hour 25 minutes. Traffic conditions and time of day may affect these travel times.
