The Dalí Theatre-Museum stands on Plaça Gala i Salvador Dalí in Figueres, the artist's home town. Dalí designed it himself on the site of the old municipal theatre, and it holds more than 1,500 of his works. Giant eggs, bread rolls and golden figures decorate the red walls, and a glass dome rises above them. Inside, the rooms include the Mae West Room, the Rainy Taxi and the Palace of the Wind. Dalí is buried in the crypt. Your ticket also covers the jewellery exhibition near the exit.
From municipal theatre to museum
The building was the Figueres Municipal Theatre, put up in the 19th century. It was gutted by fire and largely destroyed at the end of the Spanish Civil War, and for years it stood in ruins.
The idea of a museum came from the town's mayor, who asked Dalí to donate a single work to Figueres. Dalí answered that he would give the town an entire museum, and he chose the old theatre, to which he felt a close connection. Restoration began in the 1960s and the Theatre-Museum was inaugurated in 1974.
Dalí kept shaping it for the rest of his life. After a fire at the Castle of Púbol, he moved into the Theatre-Museum, where he died on 23 January 1989, aged 85.
The building from outside
Dalí treated the museum as a work of art in itself, the largest surrealist object he made, and the exterior shows it. The walls are red and studded with bread rolls. Giant eggs and oversized figures like the Oscar statuette stand along the top, and a glass dome rises over the whole.
The design also takes in remains of the town's medieval defences. The dome sits over the former stage, and the Theatre-Museum is organised around it. Dalí himself spoke of other worlds that exist inside our own, and placed the centre of that world beneath the dome.
What you find in the rooms
The permanent collection follows Dalí from his first academic works to the surrealist pieces of his last years. It also shows his interest in science and his relationships with other artists and writers. Time, death, sleep and love recur as subjects. The museum counts more than 1,500 works: paintings, drawings, sculptures, optical illusions and installations that fill whole rooms. The collection also includes works by other artists from his private collection.
Several spaces are worth seeking out. The Rainy Taxi is an early Cadillac topped with statues, and the Mae West Room has a sofa shaped like lips. The Palace of the Wind and the Treasure Room are further rooms to look for, and one tiny, quiet room holds a mirrored flamingo.
Among the paintings are Galatea of the Spheres, Leda Atomica, Galarina, Gala Contemplating the Mediterranean, The Stygian Gondola and Soft Self-Portrait with Grilled Bacon. The Hallucinogenic Toreador is also named among the works held here. Many of them carry little explanation on the wall, so a guide or audio tour adds a lot.
The crypt and the jewellery exhibition
Following his last wishes, Dalí was buried in a crypt below the stage, under the great glass dome. Visitors pass through quietly, as at any burial place.
Your ticket also gives access to the Dalí jewellery exhibition, in the gallery near the exit. It shows a different side of his work as a designer, and it is easy to overlook after the crowded rooms, so leave time for it.
Planning the visit
Figueres is about 140 km north of Barcelona and close to the French border, and the museum is a common day trip from the city. From the town's train station you can reach the museum by bus or on foot.
The museum is air conditioned and has accessible toilets and a wheelchair accessible entrance. Parking is available nearby, both free and paid. Children can enjoy the strange rooms, though they tire after a while. The museum closes on 24 and 25 December and 1 January.
Häufige Fragen
Is there an entry fee for the Dalí Theatre-Museum?
Yes, there is an admission fee. Current ticket prices are on the museum's official website.
Should I book tickets in advance?
Yes, booking online is recommended, especially in summer. Entry is at the time on your ticket, not before.
Where is Salvador Dalí buried?
He is buried in the crypt of the Theatre-Museum, below the stage and under the glass dome. He died in 1989 and was buried there as he wished.
Does the ticket include the Dalí jewellery exhibition?
Yes, the ticket gives additional access to the jewellery exhibition, in the gallery near the exit.
How do I get to the museum from Barcelona?
Figueres lies about 140 km north of Barcelona. From the Figueres train station you can take a bus or walk to the museum.
Is the museum open on public holidays?
It has no special holiday hours and is open on most holidays. It closes on 24 December, 25 December and 1 January.
