Dalí Theatre-Museum
Catalunya
The Dalí Theatre-Museum, located in Figueres, Catalonia, is a unique museum dedicated entirely to the surrealist artist Salvador Dalí. Conceived and designed by Dalí himself, it occupies the former municipal theatre where Dalí first exhibited his art as a child. The museum is a labyrinthine surrealist object combining art and theater, crowned by a glass geodesic dome over the stage where Dalí is buried. It houses the largest and most diverse collection of Dalí's works, including paintings, sculptures, three-dimensional collages, and mechanical curiosities reflecting his imagination. Notable exhibits include the Mae West Lips Sofa, a living-room installation, and rooms dedicated to optical illusions and holographic art. The museum also showcases works by other artists collected by Dalí, as well as pieces by his friend Antoni Pitxot. Its theatrical and immersive design offers visitors a dreamlike experience that blends art with architecture and surrealism.
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Tip: To fully enjoy the Dalí Theatre-Museum, visit during weekdays outside peak seasons to avoid crowds. Purchase tickets online in advance to benefit from reduced prices and faster entry. The museum offers discounts for students, seniors, youth cards, and families. Guided tours are available and recommended for deeper insight into Dalí's works and the museum's design. Check the official website for opening hours and special closure dates. Download the museum map beforehand, available in multiple languages, to navigate the complex layout efficiently.
Interesting facts
- •The museum is built on the ruins of the old municipal theatre where Dalí had his first public exhibition as a child.
- •Dalí is buried in a crypt beneath the museum's stage, crowned by a glass geodesic dome.
- •The museum houses the largest collection of Dalí's works in a single location, including paintings, sculptures, and holographic art.
- •The Mae West Lips Sofa is a famous surrealist installation that forms the face of actress Mae West when viewed from a specific point.
- •The museum includes a courtyard where a full-sized car installation inspired by Dalí's 'Rainy Taxi' is displayed.
History
The Dalí Theatre-Museum is built on the site of the former municipal theatre of Figueres, constructed between 1848 and 1850 as a neoclassical building.
The theatre was severely damaged by fire during the Spanish Civil War and left in ruins.
In 1960, Salvador Dalí and the mayor of Figueres agreed to transform the ruined theatre into a museum dedicated to Dalí's life and work.
Construction began in 1969, and the museum opened in 1974, expanding through the 1980s to include adjacent buildings and courtyards.
Dalí lived in Figueres from 1984 until his death in 1989 and is interred in a crypt beneath the museum's stage.
The museum has since become one of Spain's most visited and financially self-sustaining art institutions.
Place Guide
Mae West Room1970s
A three-dimensional living-room installation featuring the Mae West Lips Sofa, which forms the face of Mae West when viewed from a particular vantage point, exemplifying Dalí's surrealist vision.
Glass Geodesic Dome1974
A large glass dome crowning the stage of the old theatre, symbolizing the fusion of architecture and surrealism. Beneath it lies Dalí's crypt.
Optical Illusions and Anamorphic Art Room1980s
A gallery dedicated to Dalí's explorations of optical illusions, stereographs, and anamorphic art, showcasing his later experimental works.
Courtyard with Cadillac InstallationPost-1974 expansions
An open-air courtyard featuring a full-sized car installation inspired by Dalí's 'Rainy Taxi' (1938), surrounded by surreal sculptures and figurines.
Permanent Art CollectionVarious
The museum's extensive collection includes paintings from all periods of Dalí's career, sculptures, jewellery, and works by other artists collected by Dalí, such as El Greco and Marcel Duchamp.
Contact
Phone: 972 67 75 00
