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.

History of Catalunya Homepage

Image Gallery for History Of Catalunya Museum

Click on any of the 49 images to open full screen gallery player

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.

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

Restaurant Terrazza Ravello Restaurant La Tagliatella (Italian)Restaurant Brisa Restaurant La Gavina Restaurant B-ONE Restaurant Cal Pinxo Restaurant Merendero de la Mari Restaurant MOLO 39 (italian)BlackLab craft beers & snacks

What to take with you for History Of Catalunya Museum

The museum is accessible from the street with no steps. Lifts provide full access to all the rooms for wheelchairs and pushchairs. The museum rooms are wide and spacious. This is a very child friendly museum.

Bicycle anchorage points are in plaza pau de la vila

Remember that you cannot walk around Barcelona in beachwear, except when on the beach.

Before you go into the galleries, your bags and rucksacks must be placed in the left luggage area. I was allowed inside with my small 10L museum rucksack but it depends on how full the museum is.

History Of Catalunya Museum Tickets

Designed to preserve, exhibit and promote Catalonia’s history through articles and stories. Contains permanent and temporary exhibitions, interactive backgrounds, films and drawings to inspire and promote education such as 'The Memory of a Country', an interactive record of the periods and characters that have shaped the history of Catalonia. Visit the restaurant and rooftop bar on the fourth floor to enjoy the views of the Port, the Montjuic Mountain and the city while having a drink or eating the restaurant’s Mediterranean cuisine.