The eccentric and extraordinary personality of Salvador Dali has attracted attention throughout his life. One day he came up with the idea of creating a "labyrinth of surrealism" in which he could collect all his extraordinary creations.
MUSEUM HISTORY
Salvador Dali was born in 1904 in Figueres, Girona province, Spain. All his life he was proud of his origin and hometown. He was always a strange and naughty child, it was difficult for him to join the team of other children. Since 1914, in an ordinary municipal school, he begins to study fine arts, and expresses his expressive nature in drawings. Four years later, Salvador Dali first demonstrates his work to the public at an exhibition in the city theater.
In 1921, they did not want to admit him to the Royal Academy of Fine Arts of San Fernando, as his introductory drawing was very small. In response to the comment, Dali wrote the drawing even less. The selection committee made an exception for him and accepted an unusually talented young man in an educational institution, but in 1926 he was expelled for disrespectful attitude towards studies and teachers. In 1929, Salvador Dali meets the muse - Gala (real name - Elena Ivanovna Dyakonova).
The idea of creating his own theater-museum originated with Dali in the 1960s. For a decade, the General Directorate of Fine Arts of Figueres refused to finance the construction, since Dali did not want to exhibit the originals of the paintings in his museum, only copies of them. In the end, he had to give in and bring the originals to the museum. In 1974, the theater-museum was already open to visitors. It was located in the building of the old city theater.
The location was not chosen by chance. Dali himself named three reasons. First, he was an extremely theatrical artist; secondly, the church where he was baptized was located very close to the theater; and, finally, this was the very theater where he exhibited his first works.
Everything down to the smallest detail of the main part of this museum was thought out and controlled by Dali himself. At the age of 84, he dies and his embalmed body is placed on the floor of one of the museum's rooms, as the artist bequeathed. After his death, the theater-museum was supplemented with several more halls; in 2001, an exhibition of Dali jewelry was opened.
DESCRIPTION OF THE THEATER-MUSEUM DALI
The famous eggs on the Galatea Tower and the huge fly-eye dome are unmistakable. From the very first seconds, every detail attracts the eye. The museum itself includes more than 1, 5 thousand exhibits in the style of impressionism, cubism, and, of course, surrealism.
The collection of the museum is very extensive and varied. Impressive paintings, magnificent sculptures, museum architecture and installations - all of them allow you to fully experience the undeniable talent and originality of Salvador Dali.
Each hall on the territory of the museum is thought out as a theatrical stage, as a kind of performance that makes the viewer doubt the reality of everything that happens. A visit to this landmark of Girona is recommended for everyone, even those who are not interested in the topic of art and painting. This work will not leave anyone indifferent.
TOURS
Individual tickets can be purchased directly at the museum. If a group of 25 people or more is planned for a day visit, the excursion must be agreed in advance. There are night tours, tickets for them can be purchased only on the official website of the museum. Guided tours are available in Spanish, Catalan, English and French.
How to get there
The exact address of the museum is Plaça Gala i Salvador Dalí, 5, Figueres, Girona, España. If you are in another city, it is better to take sightseeing tours that include transportation to the museum. If this is not possible, then you will have to walk about 20 minutes from the central station of Figueres. It is reached by MD and REGIONAL trains.
