CaixaForum in Barcelona

CaixaForum in Barcelona is a cultural center located in a striking modernist building: the old Casaramona factory, a jewel of industrial modernism. Inside, various cultural events and exhibitions are held, there is a restaurant, and a fantastic courtyard that you can visit for free.

What to see and do at CaixaForum Barcelona

A visit to CaixaForum is a must for both culture and architecture enthusiasts. This cultural center is a great place to immerse yourself in culture and admire one of the gems of architect Josep Puig i Cadafalch.

🎟️ Order your tickets for CaixaForum here.

Old Casaramona Factory

The building housing CaixaForum is a sight in itself. Designed by the modernist architect Josep Puig i Cadafalch between 1909 and 1912, Casaramona was one of the most modern textile factories of its time. For instance, it was the first factory to operate with electrical energy instead of coal, hence it has no chimney.

The owner of the factory was Casimir Casaramona y Puigcercós, a cotton manufacturer specialized in the production of blankets and towels, who needed a new factory location after his old one burned down. Casaramona commissioned the project to Josep Puig i Cadafalch, one of the most prominent architects of Catalan modernism, who designed an exemplary factory.

With its striking red bricks, Catalan arches, and characteristic towers, it is a beautiful example of Catalan industrial modernist architecture. A tour inside the building and the courtyard is completely free, although guided tours are also regularly available.

CaixaForum Barcelona Museum

CaixaForum, the cultural center of the “La Caixa” Foundation, is housed in the former textile factory Casaramona. Here, various cultural and artistic activities are organized, ranging from exhibitions to concerts, lectures, debates, workshops, and even film screenings.

Highly recommended is the immersive experience they offer, called “Symphony,” which aims to bring classical music closer to a broad audience.

Events at CaixaForum Barcelona

As mentioned earlier, special events are regularly organized at CaixaForum, including lectures, debates, and workshops, as well as concerts and film screenings.

Special events are also offered for families, including fun children’s films and workshops.

A well-known event that takes place here every summer is Nits d’Estiu, with a special program full of culture, music, and films every Wednesday evening. Additionally, there is the Festival de Música Antiga, an annual festival for early music.

My tip: If you want to know if there’s something fun happening at CaixaForum when you visit Barcelona, I recommend keeping an eye on its agenda.

Souvenir Shop and Restaurant at CaixaForum Barcelona

CaixaForum also features a souvenir shop, a restaurant, and public restrooms.

Vertical Garden at CaixaForum Barcelona

Since 2023, there has been a remarkable vertical garden, the Bosc Vertical, located outside the cultural complex. The vertical forest is installed on the old wall of the Metallurgy Palace and aims to bring the natural landscape of Montjuïc closer to the city.

What makes this garden unique is not only its size (12 meters high and 535 m² in area) but also that it’s the first one where trees are suspended!

History of CaixaForum Barcelona

The former Casaramona textile factory was built between 1909 and 1912 at the foot of Montjuïc. After a brief industrial life (the factory closed its doors in 1920 after going bankrupt due to the La Canadenca strike), the factory served as a storage facility during the 1929 World’s Fair.

In 1940, it was converted into stables for the National Police, and until 1992, it also housed the police’s mobile fleet.

The factory was acquired by the Spanish bank La Caixa in 1992 after the Olympic Games and converted into a cultural center in 2002.

To build the cultural center, the factory underwent a thorough renovation under the direction of Japanese architect Arata Isozaki. Isozaki created a large open space below street level, using travertine to make the interior light and spacious.

In recent years, CaixaForum has evolved into a dynamic cultural hub. As part of its twentieth anniversary in Barcelona, the La Caixa Foundation launched a vertical forest project in 2023. This vertical forest, installed at the entrance of CaixaForum, contains over a hundred plant species and ten hanging trees, creating a new green lung that changes with the seasons.

Fun fact: Did you know that the Casaramona factory, where CaixaForum is located, was one of the first buildings constructed on Montjuïc?

Tickets for CaixaForum Barcelona

To visit the changing exhibitions or participate in events at CaixaForum, you need tickets. The standard ticket costs €6 and is available both on-site at the ticket office and online. With a ticket, you get access to all the exhibitions taking place at that time.

CaixaForum also offers guided tours where visitors can explore the history of the building and modern architecture.

🎟️ Order your tickets for CaixaForum here.

Please note: You don’t need tickets for access to the vertical forest, the restaurant, and the rooftop courtyard of the factory. Discover more free attractions in Barcelona here.

Getting to CaixaForum Barcelona

CaixaForum is located at Avinguda de Francesc Ferrer i Guàrdia, numbers 6-8, at the foot of Montjuïc in Barcelona.

It’s within walking distance from Plaça d’Espanya, where the Espanya metro station (L1, L3, and L8) is located. Buses 13 and 150, as well as the tourist bus, stop in front of the museum.

My tip: Combine your visit to CaixaForum with a trip to Montjuïc or one of the many other museums nearby, such as the MNAC art museum.