The Centre de Cultura Contemporània de Barcelona (often referred to as CCCB, for short) is the city’s foremost cultural center. Here visitors can peruse galleries full of thought-provoking exhibits, take in the screening of an experimental film, listen to thought leaders expound on a variety of subjects, or just enjoy a pleasant meal on a sunny patio. The CCCB is located just eight minutes west of La Rambla, in the midst of numerous other popular Barcelona destinations like Casa Batlló, Plaça de Catalunya, and the Museu d’Art Contemporani de Barcelona (MACBA).
History of the Centre de Cultura Contemporània de Barcelona (CCCB)
No visit to the Centre de Cultura Contemporània de Barcelona is complete without taking a few moments to stop and appreciate the remarkable architectural achievement that is its striking home building. The CCCB occupies a modern glass-and-steel structure that has been constructed in the courtyard of what was once the Casa de la Caritat, an almshouse that King Charles IV ordered built in 1802 on the site of what itself was once a medieval monastery. The acclaimed architectural firm of Helio Piñón and Albert Viaplana designed the contemporary structure in such a fashion that it seems to fit snugly within the historic wings of the existing nineteenth-century building.
Ever since the Centre de Cultura Contemporània de Barcelona opened its doors to the public here in 1994, the project has won numerous architectural and design awards. In the past decade, the CCCB has expanded extensively, so much so that its new properties now include a theater, multi-purpose hall, and additional exhibition spaces.
Centre de Cultura Contemporània de Barcelona (CCCB) Highlights
The Centre de Cultura Contemporània de Barcelona hosts an array of exhibitions, lectures, concerts, film screenings, academic panels, and poetry readings, just to name several of the types of events that regularly take place within the walls of this eclectic attraction. From an immersive virtual reality exhibition curated by Icelandic artist Björk to film festivals devoted to Stanley Kubrick’s body of work, the CCCB is known for sponsoring shows that are as diverse as they are intellectually stimulating.
Recent exhibitions of note organized by the CCCB include Suburbia: Building the American Dream, which explores how the American urban planning model became so influential throughout the course of the twentieth century; Question Time: Experiments with the CCCB Archive, an installation by an art collective that uses an AI model to generate answers to visitors’ questions on the basis of materials found in the museum’s archives; and DocsBarcelona, an international documentary film festival now in its third decade of existence.
The Centre de Cultura Contemporània de Barcelona (CCCB) is also home to the Xcèntric Archive, an experimental film archive that houses over 1,000 works by a cast of internationally recognized artists. The Xcèntric Archive has two screening rooms, one designed for small groups and another appropriate for individuals. The archive is free to use, but you’ll need to make an appointment in advance.
More to See and Do at the Centre de Cultura Contemporània de Barcelona (CCCB)
The rich calendar of programming offered by the Centre de Cultura Contemporània de Barcelona is varied and compelling. To have a better handle on the sorts of things to keep in mind as you plan your upcoming CCCB visit, keep reading below.
*Audioguides in English, Spanish, and Catalan are available for most of the CCCB’s exhibitions, and they can be accessed directly on your phone (just bring your own headphones or earbuds). They typically cost one euro to purchase; however, they’re free of charge on Wednesdays.
*Terracccita is the Centre de Cultura Contemporània de Barcelona’s on-site bar and restaurant. It’s open seven days a week, with a creative menu heavy on breakfast dishes and delicious cocktails. Its outdoor terrace is a relaxing spot to enjoy a tasty meal and refreshing drink before or after you explore the CCCB.
*The CCCB is also home to a branch of the popular Barcelona bookstore chain, Laie—avid area museumgoers may recognize the brand from its presence at popular attractions like the Picasso Museum, MACBA, Sagrada Familia, La Pedrera, and Park Güell. The Laie at CCCB sells a terrific assortment of books on such topics as contemporary art, design, architecture, and music—as well as history, literature, and visual culture. You’ll also find here a well-curated selection of souvenirs, accessories, home-décor items, and museum publications.
*One simple but important thing to keep in mind as you peruse the CCCB’s calendar of events in search of the upcoming activity that most appeals to you and your sightseeing interests: be sure and double-check what language will be spoken during the event in question. While the CCCB has its share of English-language offerings, many activities here are conducted exclusively in Spanish or Catalan.
Why the Centre de Cultura Contemporània de Barcelona (CCCB) Should Be on Your Must-See List
One of the beautiful things about the Centre de Cultura Contemporània de Barcelona is that no two visits here are going to be the same; their programming is so diverse—and the calendar of events changes so frequently—that there’s always something new and different on offer. Thus, whether you’re a film fanatic in the midst of your first visit to Barcelona or you’re an art lover who has already been to the CCCB three times before, you’ll get a kick out of this distinctive attraction.
