CaixaForum Barcelona
Cultural centre of the “la Caixa” Foundation in the former modernist Casaramona factory, with exhibitions, a vertical garden and works by Fontana, LeWitt and Beuys.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
CaixaForum Barcelona occupies the former Casaramona textile factory, a building from 1912 by Josep Puig i Cadafalch and one of the most outstanding examples of Catalan modernist industrial architecture. The industrialist Casimir Casaramona commissioned a simple building of exposed brick and wrought iron, but the factory closed only seven years after its opening, after going bankrupt following the strike of 1919.
It later served as a warehouse during the 1929 International Exhibition and, from 1940, as stables and vehicle pool of the National Police. In 1963 the “la Caixa” Foundation acquired the building and commissioned its refurbishment to turn it into a cultural centre; in 1976 it had been declared a historic-artistic monument of national interest.
The renovation was led by Roberto Luna as lead architect, with Robert Brufau on the structures and Javier Asarta on the restoration. Arata Isozaki designed the new access square and the main entrance. The building opened as CaixaForum Barcelona in 2002.
In the lobby, a vertical forest with about ten trees and more than 19,000 plants of around a hundred species covers a wall of 535 square metres. Among the building's permanent works are Lucio Fontana's neon structure, Sol LeWitt's mural “Splat” and Joseph Beuys's installation “Schmerzraum”, all from the Contemporary Art Collection of the “la Caixa” Foundation.
Highlights
- Former Casaramona factory (1912) by Josep Puig i Cadafalch
- Square and access by Arata Isozaki
- Vertical forest with more than 19,000 plants
- Permanent works by Lucio Fontana, Sol LeWitt and Joseph Beuys
- Dragon mosaic by Lluís Bru i Salelles on one of the towers
Permanent exhibitions
- Obras permanentes de la Colección de Arte Contemporáneo – The building houses Lucio Fontana's neon structure “Ambiente espacial No. 51-A1”, Sol LeWitt's mural “Splat” and Joseph Beuys's installation “Schmerzraum”.
- Bosque vertical – Vertical garden of 535 m² at the entrance, with about ten large trees and more than 19,000 plants of one hundred species.
- Founded
- 2002
- Operated by
- Fundación Bancaria «la Caixa»
- Visitors per year
- approx. 675,000
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €6 |
|---|---|
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 15 · Free access to all exhibitions for under-16s. |
| Groups (10+ people) | –Rates for groups of 10 people or more: enquire at rcaixaforumbcn@magmacultura.com. |
| Guided tour of the former modernist factory and the vertical forest | €3 |
| Workshop tour “El reto de la fábrica modernista” | €3 |
Free admission: 15 February (Santa Eulàlia), 16 May from 19:00 to 1:00 (Night of the Museums), 18 May (International Museum Day) and 24 September (La Mercè).
General admission gives access to all temporary and permanent exhibitions. Free access also for CaixaBank customers and holders of the European Youth Card.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits
- Sign language tours
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
Access to all spaces, with wheelchairs available at the information point in the lobby (subject to availability), adapted toilets and reserved spaces in the auditorium. Braille buttons in the lifts and guided tours adapted for visually impaired visitors, with tactile elements in the building tour (advance registration on 93 184 71 42). Induction loop in the auditorium, spaces A to D, the reception and the bookshop counter. Sign-language tours and tours adapted for oral communication with advance registration, and ear defenders for people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or hyperacusis. Accessible guide in PDF or editable format. Guide dogs and assistance dogs are admitted.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 15 |
|---|
- Family tours & workshops
- Stroller-friendly
The centre offers activities for family audiences and workshop visits for children. Under-16s enter free, and there is a nursing room.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Espanya (L1, L3)
Metro: Espanya station (L1 and L3); FGC: Espanya station. From there, walk up towards Montjuïc.
The centre's website does not publish arrival directions.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
- Restaurant
- Museum shop
- Wi-Fi
Free Wi-Fi. Laie shop specialising in art, architecture, design and photography (every day 10:00–20:00). Café-restaurant with reservations by phone only: café 10:00–20:00 and restaurant 13:00–15:45. Nursing room.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
Auditorium, café-restaurant (cocktails, coffee breaks, corporate dinners), multipurpose rooms and event spaces. Bookings on +34 934 768 600.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Audio guide | yes |
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Digital audio guide for your phone (Bloomberg Connects app, with QR codes placed around the centre). Under-16s must be accompanied by an adult. Pets, scooters and bicycles are not allowed; pushchairs are. |
