The Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya – that’s the National Museum of Catalan Art to non-natives – is undoubtedly one of the highlights of theBarcelona culturecircuit .

The museum’s palatial building, perched imperiously onMontjuic hill , justifies the trip alone, especially the Oval Hall where the1992 Olympic ceremonies took place – but of course it’s the art that grabs the headlines.

The MNAC’s permanent collections provide a complete timeline of Catalan art, from the Romanesque period to the Avant Garde, and cover every discipline from sculpture and painting to posters and engraving. The most arresting material comes from Barcelona’s hay-day in the early 20th Century and works by Picasso, Ramon Casas, Camarasa and Gaudi will make you realise just how rich Catalan culture is.

The museum is open 10am to 7pm (or 2:30pm on Sundays), except Mondays, and general admission is 12 euros. Thanks to the views of theMagic Fountain the muse...