“In this privileged place, the real and the sublime almost meet. My mystical paradise starts on the plains of the Empordà, surrounded by the Les Alberes hills, and reaches plenitude in Cadaqués Bay. This landscape is my ongoing inspiration.” – Dali
Dali’s entire life was as colorful as his work.
Whether you are a fan of his work or just a random tourist, to fully explore Dali’s universe, the best approach is to retrace his steps, following the route known as the Dali Triangle.
The Dalí Triangle in Spain comprises the municipalities of Púbol, Portlligat, and Figueres.
These locations served as inspiration for Salvador Dalí’s career and his imaginative universe.
To understand why it’s called the Dalí Triangle, take a map of the Costa Brava and trace a line connecting the Emporda towns of Figueres, Portlligat (Cadaques), and Pubol.
This outline forms a triangle, which is why it has been given this name.
Your journey begins at the Dalí Theatre-Museum in Figueres, takes you to his picturesque home in Portlligat, and concludes at the Púbol Castle.
This 40 km (15.4 miles) route is an ideal weekend adventure, allowing you to experience the settings that influenced Dalí’s work firsthand.
This trip not only connects significant locations in Dalí’s life but also provides insights into his creative world.
Thus, these three towns on the Costa Brava form the Salvador Dali Triangle, a perfect weekend getaway.
Dali Theatre-Museum in Figueres
The Dali Theater Museum (Teatro Museo Dali), one of Spain’s most magnificent sights, is located in the town of Figueres, 91 miles (147 km) north of Barcelona.
As the world’s largest surrealist work of art and Salvador Dalí’s final major project, the Theatre Museum was entirely designed by the artist Dalí himself.
The project emerged in the early 1960s when Ramon Guardiola, the mayor of Figueres, approached Dalí to inquire if he would donate his artwork to the Empordà Museum.
Dalí proposed a far greater gesture: donating an entire museum to his hometown.
Dalí envisioned a stunning space for visitors that would immerse them in his unique world, leveraging the neoclassical facade of the old Municipal Theatre.
The theatre was partially destroyed in a fire by the end of the Spanish Civil War.
The museum’s exterior, with its iconic glass dome and oversized eggs atop the building, vividly illustrates the artist’s imaginative vision.
A museum tour offers a sensory-rich journey through Dalí’s diverse artistic explorations, including painting, sculpture, installations, holograms, photography, and more.
It covers the entire span of his creative career, showcasing his early experiments with impressionism, futurism, cubism, and other styles, as well as his renowned surrealist works and later creations.
Dalí once stated, “There is no doubt that other worlds exist; but, as I have said many times before, these other worlds are part of ours. They reside on earth, specifically in the dome’s heart at the Dalí Museum, where a whole new, unexpected, and surreal world awaits.”
The Salvador Dalí House-Museum in Portlligat
A journey to Portlligat Bay in the Cap de Creus Natural Park is essential to complete the Dali Triangle.
Salvador Dalí purchased a small fisherman’s hut there in 1930, mesmerized by its breathtaking views, luminosity, and seclusion.
Over time, Dali and his wife Gala turned their home into a complex, maze-like structure filled with personal items and souvenirs from their lives.
According to Dalí, the house became “a true biological structure,” evolving with each new phase of their lives.
He likened each new development to adding a new cell or room to the structure.
Visitors will experience the beautiful interplay between the house’s intimate, magical interior spaces and the Costa Brava’s iconic landscapes, often featured in Dalí’s art.
The Salvador House Museum is divided into three main areas:
- Dalí and Gala’s private living quarters.
- The artist’s studio.
- An outdoor area with paths and gardens that reflect their public image.
Additionally, there’s a circular building used by Dalí as another studio, showcasing sculptures and records of his distinctive performances.
“Portlligat is the place of creation. It’s perfectly suited for my work, where time slows down and each hour has its proper weight. There’s a geological calm here, making it a unique phenomenon on this planet.” Salvador Dalí.
Gala-Dali Castle House Museum In Pubol
The Costa Brava and the Girona Pyrenees have many medieval castles, yet Pubol Castle represents a truly unique love story.
Salvador Dali purchased this three-story building as a romantic gift for his wife, Gala.
Initially, it was a run-down castle infused with a romantic yet melancholic atmosphere, which Dalí transformed into a peaceful haven for his lifelong muse.
Dalí turned the castle into a mysterious sanctuary, brimming with architectural surprises and breathtakingly beautiful spaces, making the castle’s outbuildings into genuine surrealist masterpieces.
Among these, the piano room, the garden with its elongated-legged elephants, and the Gala mausoleum reflect Dalí’s dreamlike visions.
The interiors are decked with his paintings, fulfilling Dalí’s desire, as he mentioned in his “Unspeakable Confessions” (1973), to decorate the ceilings so Gala could always find him in her heaven when she looked up.
Dalí was permitted to visit the castle only with Gala’s written consent, a testament to their unique relationship that celebrated courtly love, enhancing their desire and passion.
After Gala passed away, she was laid to rest in the Sala del Delme crypt and Dali took up residence in the castle.
However, two years later, a fire in his bedroom left him with severe burns, forcing him to relocate to Figueres permanently.
Dali Triangle Tour
This Salvador Dali triangle tour from Barcelona is a unique and comprehensive experience that takes you through the life and works of the famous artist.
You’ll visit different places depending on the time of your visit year.
In the summer, you’ll start at the Dalí Museum, explore a Medieval village, and end at Pubol Castle.
During the rest of the year, after the museum visit, you’ll head to the beautiful coastal villages of Cadaques and Port Lligat to Dali’s house.
The tour will be conducted in small groups, so you’ll get personal attention from your guide.
Dali Triangle Tour Price
- Adult ticket (12 + years): €99 ($109)
- Child ticket (up to 11 years): €75 ($83)
Dali Triangle Map
The Dalí Triangle, located in Catalonia, Spain, is a unique geographical area that traces the life and works of the renowned artist Salvador Dalí.
This triangle is formed by three significant locations: Figueres, Portlligat, and Púbol.
Why Explore the Dalinian Triangle?
Exploring the Dalinian Triangle is a unique journey into the life and works of Salvador Dalí, one of the most influential artists of the 20th century.
The triangle contains three significant locations – Figueres, Portlligat, and Púbol- offering a comprehensive understanding of Dalí’s artistic journey.
These locations were more than just places where Dalí created his art; they were his residences, offering insight into his personal life, his relationship with his wife, Gala, and how his surroundings influenced his work.
The Dalinian Triangle also delivers a firsthand experience of surrealism, from the dreamlike landscapes of Portlligat to the fantastical creations within the Dalí Theatre-Museum in Figueres.
More than a set of locations, the Dalinian Triangle is an immersive experience.
The landscape, architecture, and even the light in this region profoundly impacted Dalí’s work.
As you traverse the triangle, you’re not just observing; you’re experiencing the world as Dalí did.
Additionally, the Dalinian Triangle is deeply embedded in the culture of Catalonia, offering a chance to experience the region’s rich history, architecture, and cuisine.
The Dalinian Triangle is a physical manifestation of Dali’s world, offering a unique blend of art, culture, and history.
Whether you’re an art enthusiast or a curious traveler, exploring the Dalinian Triangle provides a deeper appreciation of Salvador Dalí’s contribution to the art world.
Contents
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Dalí Triangle?
The Dalí Triangle refers to three significant locations in Catalonia, Spain, that are connected to the life and work of the surrealist artist Salvador Dalí: the Dalí Theatre-Museum in Figueres, the Salvador Dalí House in Portlligat, and the Gala Dalí Castle in Pubol.
Why is it called the Dalí Triangle?
It’s called the Dalí Triangle because it forms a triangular shape when you map out these three locations (Figueres, Portlligat, and Pubol) on the Costa Brava.
Each point of the triangle represents a place of great personal and artistic significance to Dalí.
What can I see at the Dalí Theatre-Museum in Figueres?
The Dalí Theatre-Museum in Figueres is a comprehensive museum dedicated to Dalí’s work, showcasing various creations across different mediums, including paintings, sculptures, and installations.
It is also the final resting place of the artist.
What is special about the Salvador Dalí House in Portlligat?
The Salvador Dalí House in Portlligat was the residence of Dalí and his wife, Gala.
It’s a series of fishermen’s huts that Dalí transformed into a unique, labyrinthine home and studio.
Visitors can explore the rooms, studio, and gardens, getting a personal glimpse into Dalí’s life and creative process.
What can visitors expect at the Gala Dalí Castle in Pubol?
The Gala Dalí Castle in Pubol was a gift from Dalí to his wife, Gala, who used it as her private retreat.
The castle features art created by Dalí specifically for the space, Gala’s tomb, and a collection of her dresses and personal belongings.
It offers insight into their complex relationship and Gala’s influence on Dalí’s work.
How much time should I allocate to visit the Dalí Triangle?
Visiting all three sites properly would ideally take at least two days, allowing for travel time between locations and thoroughly exploring each site.
What is the best time of year to visit the Dalí Triangle?
The Dalí Triangle can be visited year-round, but spring and autumn offer pleasant weather and potentially fewer crowds, making these seasons ideal for visiting.
Where is the Dali triangle?
The Dalinian Triangle is located in Catalonia, Spain.
It is basically a triangle that would appear on a Catalonia map if you draw a line between the municipalities of Portlligat, Pubol and Figueres.
This 40-sq km area holds all the elements of the Dalinian universe: museums, landscapes, legends, customs, and relief.
What was Salvador Dalí known for?
Dali (1904 to 1989) is one of the most famous figures in art history.
He is remembered as much for his iconic mustache and extravagant persona- which spanned sculptures, paintings, product set designs, and film.
What is Salvador Dalí artistic style called?
Dali was a Spanish Surrealist painter and printmaker renowned for exploring subconscious imagery.
His most famous painting is the limb-melting watch named The Persistence of Memory (1931).
Featured Image: Salvador-dali.org, Cnn.com, Theartpilgrim.org
