Melting clocks, elephants and horses with endless limbs…
You've surely seen, in one way or another, Salvador Dalí's most famous artworks.
But have you ever been inside them?
If you want to step into the head of the greatest figure of Spanish surrealism, don't miss the Dalí Theatre-Museum in Figueres.
Not an art expert? That doesn't matter. Every single detail, composition, shape, color… has a double meaning. Pay close attention, or you'll miss the most delightfully crazy subtleties of his work. Are you ready to be amazed?
Salvador Dalí Theatre-Museum
Salvador Dalí chose the ruins of the Figueres Municipal Theatre, destroyed during the Civil War, to house the largest surrealist object in the world. In his own words, these were the reasons:
- It was right across from the church where he was baptized, in Figueres, his hometown.
- It was in this very former theatre where he held his first exhibition.
- He considered himself a theatrical artist, and once you've seen the museum, I don't doubt it one bit!
Dalí was fully involved in the reconstruction and design of the entire complex. That's how he ended up turning his Theatre-Museum into an artwork in itself, just like a Russian matryoshka doll.
It also houses works by other artists, close friends of his, as well as his private art collection.
Inside, you'll discover a unique character, his obsessions and ideals, his fears and madness, his creative evolution. You'll meet Gala, his wife and muse. Her death was one of the turning points that plunged him into the physical and psychological decline that marked his final days. He passed away at the age of 84 and, following his wishes, was buried in the crypt of this very Dalí Theatre-Museum, right under the central dome.
Although the rooms are numbered to make it easy to visit every space without missing anything, the original idea is to get lost in the depths of this great surrealist masterpiece with no rhyme or reason.
Admission is €15 (€10 for students and seniors) and visiting the whole place takes at least around two hours.
Where to Eat
Just a few steps from the museum, you'll find the quirky Crêperie Bretonne.
Its owners are French, which adds authenticity to the dishes. They specialize in buckwheat galettes (that's what savory crepes are called).
This version, besides being hard to find, makes them gluten-free. For less than 10 euros, you can enjoy a delicious filled crepe that will leave you completely satisfied.
Trust me, I almost never skip dessert, but this time I had to pass. They were huge! If you like buckwheat, I definitely recommend giving them a try.
Where to sleep
If you want to experience Figueres itself, your best bet is to stay the night in town.
You'll find plenty of great budget-friendly options on Booking.
However, this time we felt like disconnecting from the world a bit. And we found the perfect spot for it: Alberg La Masia Boutique.
Picture a stormy night, complete with lightning and thunder, in late January 2017.
It's already dark and the GPS does its best to guide us through the cobblestone streets of a tiny village in L'Empordà. After parking in the square of Garrigàs, Laura welcomes us and shows us around her farmhouse.
It's a restored old mill full of charm. Spacious rooms with shared bathrooms. And what bathrooms! They're huge, cozy, and, even better, spotless.
Both in the living room and the dining area, the fireplaces are kept crackling, the perfect touch to round off the evening.
They serve delicious homemade meals at great prices, with a menu far broader than you'd expect for a place with only four rooms. Carles, the chef, even makes sure to put on pleasant music during dinner and after-dinner drinks. Everywhere you look, attention to detail is spotless. And all for €47.7.
Due to the weather, we didn't get to enjoy the garden, the terrace, or the views of L'Empordà that its location offers. But I'm sure we'll be back.
Useful links
- Alberg La Masia Boutique.
- Accommodations in Figueres.
- Flight deals to Catalonia: Trabber, eDreams, Momondo, and Vueling.
- 5% discount when booking your travel insurance with IATI.
And now, here are a few places near Montserrat that I can tell you about firsthand:
- Circular hiking route in Montserrat: Sant Jeroni.
- Salt del Sallent circular route.
- Hiking trail in Alta Garrotxa: Beget-Rocabruna.
- Montserrat trail: funicular-Santa Magdalena-Sant Miquel-monastery.
Map
I've marked the location of a free parking area (unattended) near the Dalí Theatre-Museum in Figueres.
If you prefer a paid parking lot, you'll find plenty around the theatre itself, you can't miss them.