Melting clocks, elephants and horses with infinite limbs...
Surely you have seen, in one way or another, Salvador Dalí's most famous works of art.
But have you ever been inside them?
If you want to get inside the head of the greatest representative of Spanish surrealism, don't miss the Dalí Theatre-Museum in Figueras.
Not an art expert? It doesn't matter. Every detail, composition, shape, form, 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 blown away?
Salvador Dalí Theater-Museum
Salvador Dalí chose the ruins of the Municipal Theater of Figueras, destroyed during the Civil War, to place the largest surrealist object in the world. According to his own words, the reasons were the following:
- It was right in front of the church where he was baptized, in Figueras, his hometown.
- It was in this old theater where he held his first exhibition.
- He considered himself a theatrical artist, and, having seen the museum, I don't doubt it!
Dalí was fully involved in the reconstruction and design of the entire complex. This is how he ended up turning his Theater-Museum into a piece of art in itself, like a Russian matryoshka .
It also contains works by other authors, close friends of his, as well as his private art collection.
Inside you will discover a unique character, his obsessions and ideals, his fears and madness, his creative evolution. You will meet Gala, his wife and muse. Her death was one of the decisive events that would plunge him into the physical and psychological decline that characterized the end of his days. He died at the age of 84 and, in accordance with his wishes, was buried in the crypt of this same Dalí Theater-Museum, under the central dome.
Although the rooms are numbered to make it easier to visit each environment without missing anything, the original intention is to get lost in the bowels of this great piece of surrealist art without order or concert.
The entrance fee is 15€ (10€ for students and senior citizens) and visiting all the facilities takes at least two hours.
Where to eat
Just a few steps away from the museum, you will find the curious Crêperie Bretonne.
The owners are French, which adds authenticity to the dishes. They specialize in buckwheat galettes (that's the name of the savory crepes).
This version, besides being difficult to find, makes them suitable for coeliacs. For less than 10 euros, you can enjoy a delicious filled crepe that will leave you completely satisfied.
I assure you, I almost never sacrifice dessert, but on this occasion I had to abstain, they were huge! If you like buckwheat, I recommend you try them.
Where to stay
If you want to enjoy Figueras itself, it is best to sleep in the city.
You will find many options at good prices in Booking.
However, this time we wanted to isolate ourselves a bit from the world. And we found the perfect place for it: the Alberg La Masia Boutique.
Visualize a stormy night, thunder and lightning included, in late January 2017.
It is already dark and the GPS guides us as it can through the cobbled streets of a small village of L'Empordà. After parking in the square of Garrigàs, Laura welcomes us and shows us her farmhouse.
It is an old mill restored with a lot of charm. Spacious rooms with shared bathrooms, and what bathrooms! They are huge, cozy and, what's more, spotless.
Both in the living room and in the dining room, the fireplaces are kept lit, thus putting the finishing touch to the evening.
They offer home-cooked meals at a very good price, with a much more extensive menu than I would have expected for an accommodation with only four rooms. Carles, the cook, is even in charge of playing pleasant music during dinner and after dinner. Everywhere you look, there is no lack of detail. And all for 47,7€.
Due to the weather, we did not enjoy the garden, the terrace or the views that its location offers of L'Empordà. But I am sure we will be back.
Useful Links
- Alberg La Masia Boutique.
- Lodging in Figueras.
- Flight offers to Catalonia: Trabber, eDreams, Momondo and Vueling.
- Get 5% off when you purchase travel insurance with IATI.
And now, some places near Montserrat that I can tell you about in first person:
- Circular route through Montserrat: Sant Jeroni.
- Salt del Salent circular route.
- Hiking route in the Alta Garrotxa: Beget-Rocabruna.
- Montserrat route: funicular-Santa Magdalena-San Miquel-monastery.
Map
I have marked the location of a free, unguarded parking lot near the Dalí Theater-Museum in Figueras.
If you prefer a paying one, you will find many around the theater itself, you can't miss it.