Spring 2026

March 11: Tour of Palau de la Musica Catalana

By Alex Ross

From the moment we stepped in front of the Palau de la Música Catalana, the building was immediately striking. Looking up and around, the extraordinary level of architectural detail stood out—intricate designs inspired by nature and Catalan culture. Prominent busts of composers such as Bach, Beethoven, and Wagner look outward from the façade, almost as if welcoming visitors and signaling the musical legacy housed within.

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March 10: Barcelona Consorci de Turisme

By Kyla Blocker

“Thirty years ago, Barcelona was not a tourist destination,” says Anna Marquès, Strategic Projects and Alliances Director of Barcelona Consorci de Turisme, “now it is not a tourist destination – it is a city with tourism.” This sentiment framed today’s session about Barcelona Turisme’s efforts to rebrand the idea of tourism in Barcelona, both for tourists and local residents.  More

March 10: Espronceda Institute of Art and Culture

By Melissa Markstein

A late morning stroll from Nau Ivanow brought our class to Espronceda Institute of Art and Culture, a technology-forward art factory located in Barcelona. Founded in 2013 by two brothers with many artist friends, Espronceda was created as a space where artists could experiment, collaborate, and share their work with the public. Today, the organization’s mission centers on three main pillars: artistic research, cultivating an environment for creative thinking, and educating the community.

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March 9: Casa Vicens

By Jeanmarie Exel

Good morning from Barcelona! One of our quests today was to visit the Casa Vicens in the Gracia neighborhood.  More

March 9: Barcelona City Tour

By Yue Yao

This morning we gathered at Plaça de Sant Jaume, the square where Barcelona City Hall and the Government of Catalonia are located. Our guide began by explaining that this place has served as the city's political center for a very long time. Even during the Roman period, it was the heart of the city, with the forum of the Roman settlement Barcino likely situated in this area. So in a sense, it has been the city center for two thousand years. Standing here evokes a remarkable sensation—as if countless pivotal decisions and historical events unfolded in this very spot, while the surrounding architecture underwent successive transformations. More