Barcelona has a long history, and a rich culture that accompanies it. One of the best ways to learn about their culture and history is to spend some time in their museums. From ancient histories to recent histories, there’s a lot to learn about the city of Barcelona.
Museum of the History of Barcelona
If you only have time to visit one museum during your time in Barcelona, let it be to the Museum of the History of Barcelona (MUHBA). From conservation and preservation work, to research and exhibitions, MUHBA is dedicated to telling Barcelona’s story, from its origins as an ancient Roman city, to its medieval life, to the modern age. Headquartered in Plaça del Rei, visitors to the museum will get to walk amidst excellently preserved ruins, such as a Roman bath and wine-making building, getting an idea of what the city looked like in its early years more than a millennia ago, as well as other exhibits that expand on the 1000-year-long span between then and now, the product of extensive research done by the museum’s dedicated staff. The audio guide is free as well, so you’re never short on things to learn. What better way to learn about history than being able to immerse yourself into it?
MUHBA Refugi 307
Housed in a former bomb shelter built to protect civilians during the Spanish Civil War, the MUHBA Refugi 307 tells the story of the living conditions the denizens of Barcelona had to endure during air raids. 400 metres long, 1.6 metres wide and only 2 metres high, the tunnel of the shelter is small and cramped – if you’re claustrophobic, this is perhaps one museum you might want to skip out on. If you’re game however, the tours conducted in the winding tunnel – English at 10:30am, Spanish at 11:30am, and Catalan at 12:30pm – are a fascinating story of how the Spanish Civil War personally affected the residents of the El Poble Sec neighbourhood, where it is located. And though people were not allowed to stay overnight during the tunnel’s construction (as work continued to expand it when air raids were not happening), after being abandoned post-civil war, families from Granada would make their home in the shelter during the 1940s and 1950s, and if you look closely, you’ll see evidence of that all around you.
Museu d'Història de Catalunya
Barcelona as a city is interesting and historical enough on its own, but it’s also the capital of the autonomous region of Catalonia, which makes it a great place to learn more about the history of the region and the Catalan people. Housed in the Palau del Mar, the only building of Barcelona’s old port that still survives to this day, the museum brings the story of the Catalans to life through an extensive collection of objects, and remarkably accurate recreations of historical settings. You could even join one of the activities the museum regularly hosts to get a more up close and personal experience on more esoteric aspects of Catalonia’s rich culture and history.
El Born Centre de Cultura i Memòria
Like many European cities, Barcelona has its fair share of old, but still functional buildings that have been repurposed in the modern age, and the El Born Centre de Cultura I Memòria is one such building. Found in the former El Born market, opened in 1876, and itself built upon demarcations of streets and houses of 18thCentury Barcelona, this museum’s goal is to preserve and promote an awareness and understanding of the events happening in both Barcelona and Spain as a whole. With a mix of permanent and temporary exhibits, a visit to this museum is both educational and exciting. Not only do you get to walk amidst physical parts of history, but the museum also works to entertain visitors through innovative performances that will both delight you, and probably teach you something new at the same time.
Museu Marítim de Barcelona
Barcelona is a city right by the water – the Port of Barcelona is one of the primary seaports of Europe, as well as one of the busiest passenger ports, so it’s no surprise that the city has a strong maritime history, and even a quick trip to the Maritime Museum of Barcelona will attest to that fact. It’s even housed in a former shipyard for maximum effect. Here you’ll find everything related to Catalan ships and sailing, from the instruments used before advancements in technology, to manuscripts, ship’s logs, models of vessels, and more. Through interactive exhibitions, visitors get the chance to learn more about Barcelona’s history with the sea, not only in trade and expeditions, but also in battle with enemy forces, as well as how the construction of those ships developed over time. It’s truly a magical experience.
