Catalonia History Museum (Museu d’Història de Catalunya)
When democracy was established in Spain, after many years of dictatorship, the Catalan government determined the importance of having a museum that represented the Catalan national heritage and identity. This was the principle for the creation of the Catalonia History Museum.
The museum was inaugurated in 1993 in part of the premises of a large building known as the Palau de Mar, which is located in the Port Vell (old harbor). The building was an old trade warehouse designed in 1881 and is the only one preserved from the old industrial Port of Barcelona.
The building had been previously refurbished and adapted to house the Catalonia History Museum and other facilities. The aim was to showcase a permanent exhibition of the history of Catalonia, from prehistoric times up to the end of the 1980’s.
Soon after, the museum started to receive the donation of documents and objects related to the contemporary history of Catalonia, and therefore, arose the need to have a space also dedicated to temporary exhibition. A large room of 1,200 m2 was set up for this purpose, which expanded the initial scope of the museum.
In 1997, the huge library and document centre of the Catalan Contemporary History Centre was installed in the building, which expanded even more the initial purpose of the Museu d’Història de Catalunya by adding its essential historical archives.
The permanent exhibition of the Museu d’Història de Catalunya is organized in eight areas, which are divided in four floors and are ordered chronologically. In these areas the visitor will walk through the history of Catalonia, that include true recreations of historical settings as well as objects of everyday use.
The Catalonia History Museum also hosts temporary exhibitions and organizes other activities, like guided tours, lectures, activities for family with children, and also night concerts on the rooftop of the building during summer time, with astonishing views of the port of Barcelona.
Regular Price: 6.50€
Opening Hours: Tue – Sat: 10am - 7pm
Wed: 10am - 8pm (until 10pm on July and August)
Sun and public holidays: 10am – 2:30pm
Closed: Mondays (except public holidays), Jan 1, Jan 6, Dec 25, Dec 26
Address: Pl. de Pau Vila, 3 (Palau de Mar)
Transport: Metro: L4 (stop Barceloneta)
Bus: V17, H14, D20, V15, 14, 39, 45, 51, 59, 64 and 120
Bus Turistic: stop Museu d’Història de Catalunya
Tips & Secrets!
Discount with Bus Turistic: 30%
Discount with Barcelona Card: 30%
Special Price
30% OFF with the Barcelona Card
30% OFF with the Bus Turistic
4.50€ (people under 25, over 65, disabled)
Free?
Last Tuesday of the month, from October to June
Children under 8
Unemployed