Torre Galatea, Figueras, Catalonia, Spain

La Torre Gorgot, Figueras, Catalonia, Spain

One can hardly leave unnoticed the building that is distinguished both for its architecture and rich history. This is one of those buildings that links the architecture with fine art. Constructed in 1849-1850, the building initially served as Municipal Theatre of Figueres, however, was destroyed by a fire at the end of the Spanish Civil War in 1939.

Figueres is located in the foothills of the Pyrenees, only 26 km from the French border in the principality of Catalonia. The most famous surrealist painter Salvador Dali's dream has come true when he placed his masterpieces in the Old Theatre of his native city. The museum was officially opened in 1974 and named after Dali's wife and muse Gala. One of the most visible elements of the Torre Galatea is the transparent grid structure in the form of a geodesic dome that has become a symbol both for the Theatre and Figueres. The Torre Galatea or Dali Theatre-Museum (architect Emilio Perez Pinero) blossomed and now attracts the visitors with an entire row of white eggs nestled on Carmine - red wall inlaid with golden loaves. According to his last will Dali was buried in an unmarked crypt in the museum's main exhibition hall.

By Lilit Khalatyan, www.building.am