Carrillón Concert at Palau Generalitat
By Charlotte Stace
If you love discovering hidden slices of city magic, the Carilló del Palau is an unexpected soundtrack to Barcelona life. Tucked into the historic Palau de la Generalitat, this enormous musical instrument isn’t a string quartet or a rock band, but 49 bronze bells weighing nearly five tonnes, each ready to sing at a moment’s notice.
On the first Sunday of each month (plus special dates like holidays), a carillon concert fills the air with cascading melodies that spill out into the streets around the Barri Gòtic. You can hear everything from classical pieces to popular tunes as the bells chime out across the Pati dels Tarongers courtyard.
This festive period there’ll be special concerts on St Stephen’s Day and January 4th to ring in the new year. Catching the carillonneur at work is one of Barcelona’s most enchanting free treats.