Catalonia’s History Museum

Created by Generaliad de Catalunya’s Government, this museum first opened its doors in 1996, with the objective of informing visitors about the history of Catalonia. The museum gathers a series of objects, documents and audiovisual information about this autonomous community.

ShBarcelona shines a little more light on the History Museum today.

Related article: Museums to Visit during the Summer Months in Barcelona

Basic information about the History Museum

The layout of the museum

Catalonia’s History Museum has a permanent exhibition, divided into seven parts:

• The Roots (prehistory to the 8^th century)
• The Birth of a Nation (8^th to 12^th century)
• Our Sea (12^th to 16^th century)
• On the Edge of the Empire (16^th to 18^th century)
• A Steam-Powered Nation (18^th to 19^th century)
• The Electric Years (1900 to 1939)
• Defeat and Recovery (1940 to 1980)
• Portrait of Contemporary Catalonia (1980 to 2007)

The museum also receives several temporary exhibitions every year like “La festa popular, la catalanitat cívica”, “Contes infantils de la guerra”, “Per bruixa i metzinera. La cacera de bruixes a Catalunya”, “Quan plovien bombes” and “La transformació del litoral de la Barceloneta: de la Mar Vella a l’Edifici Vela”.

There are a number of activities visitors can take part in, like the free guided visits, which happen every Sunday in four different languages. At 10 am there is a French visit, at 11 am an English visit, at 12 am a Catalan visit and at 12:30 a Spanish visit. (Always check the website if hours/languages are still scheduled the same!) These guided visits are available only during the summer months.

Practical information

Catalonia’s History Museum is located at Plaza de Pau Vila, number 3 in the neighbourhood of Barceloneta. You can go to the museum using the yellow line (L4) of the subway, exiting at Barceloneta. You can also use buses number V17, H14, D20, V15, 14, 39, 45, 51, 59, 64 and 120.

If you are coming from further away, using the train to get to the city, exit at Estació de França.

Related article: Tips for Renting Tourist Accommodation in Barcelona this Summer

Opening Times

• Tuesday to Saturday: 10 am to 7 pm
• Wednesdays: 10 am to 8 pm
• Sundays and public holidays: 10 am to 2:30 pm

Ticket prices

Adults: 4,50€ for the permanent collection, 4€ for the temporary exhibition or 6,50€ for both.

Retired people, disabled people, people under 25 or over 65, families with children: 3,50€ for the permanent collection, 3€ for the temporary exhibition or 4,50€ for both.

Large/single-parent families: 2€ for the permanent collection, 1,50€ for the temporary exhibition or 2,50€ for both.

Children under 8 years old and unemployed people can enter for free.

The museum also offers free entry on the last Tuesday of the month, from October to June.

Tip: Don’t forget to visit the museum’s rooftop. Sit for a drink and enjoy the beautiful views of Barcelona.

Have you been to the History Museum? What did you like best?