Museu d'Història de Catalunya (MHCAT) - Catalonia History Museum

About History Of Catalunya Museum

The Museum of History of Catalonia, Museu d'Història de Catalunya (MHCAT), opened in 1996 and display the history of Catalonia from Hunter Gatherer tribes to the present day. The History of Catalonia Museum can be found in the Port Vell area, on the edge of the Barceloneta Neighbourhood and the Gothic Quarter (Barri Gòtic).

Redevelopment work on the façade commenced 1991 prior to the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games. The museum is located in the old General Warehouses of Commerce (MGC) building known as the Palau de Mar which is the only conserved building of the old industrial port of Barcelona.

The Palau de Mar was designed in 1881 by the engineer Maurici Garrin, who was inspired by the English port buildings of the time. You can see the familiarity between the docks of London or Liverpool and the Palau de Mar in Barcelona.

The construction works began in 1885, on the old fishermen's beach, and was opened on July 1, 1902. The press of the time applauded the modernity of the facilities that incorporated elevators and conveyor belts. In the surroundings of the building, railways were built to facilitate the movement of merchandise within the port.

The old dock warehouses now house offices, bars, restaurants and the Museum of History of Catalonia.

Visiting History Of Catalunya Museum

Note: The History of Catalunya Museum (MHCAT) should not be confused with the Barcelona City History Museum (MUHBA) in the Gothic centre.

The History of Catalunya Museum (MHCAT) focuses on the history of Catalunya, its culture and notable events whereas the Barcelona City History Museum (MUHBA) is about the city of Barcelona with strong emphasis on the Roman and Medieval periods.

The permanent exhibitions at the the Museum of History of Catalonia (MHCAT) are:
• Hunters and gatherers
• The Iberians - 6th to 1st century BC
• The Roman Empire - 1st century BC to fall of Rome in 476 AD
• The Middle Ages - Fall of Rome to 14th Century
• The Renaissance and Industrialisation - 14th Century to mid 19th Century
• Suppression of the Catalan culture under the Franco dictatorship

History of Catalunya Museum (MHCAT) opening hours

• Tuesday to Saturday: 10:00h to 19:00h.
• Wednesday: 10:00h to 20:00h.
• Sunday and public holiday: 10:00h to 14:30h.
• Entry permitted until 30 minutes before closing time.
• Closed: Non holiday Mondays, 1st and 6th January, 1st May, 25th and 26th December
• Free days: 12 February (Santa Eulalia); 23 April (Sant Jordi); May 15th, 16th and 18th; September 11th (dia nacional de Catalunya); 24th September (virgin de la merçe); 24th December; First Sunday of each month

Palau de Mar Restaurants

Map for History Of Catalunya Museum

Weather for History Of Catalunya Museum