Museu d'Història de Catalunya
The museum opened in 1996 in Barcelona with the aim of disseminating the history of Catalonia. It is housed in the former general warehouse in the old port, the Port Vell, which was built in 1901 and is known as the Palau del Mar.
The aim of the Museu d'Història de Catalunya is to showcase the history of Catalonia as a shared heritage, to preserve key objects from the history of Catalonia, and to help the community identify more strongly with their national history. In order to achieve its aim, the museum develops a historic narrative through its displays and organizes activities to disseminate and promote the history of Catalonia.
The permanent exhibition traces the history of Catalonia from its distant roots to the present day in an interactive and innovative way. The Museu d'Història de Catalunya layout is structured chronologically, in eight areas, set out on four floors, and includes authentic recreations of historical settings, as well as everyday items such as food and clothing. The museum also stages temporary exhibitions and hosts other activities which make the museum a must-see attraction.
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General details
Address: Plaça de Pau Vila, 3. Palau de Mar (08003). Barcelona
Phone: 932 254 700
Web site: www.mhcat.cat
Opening time: Tuesday to Saturday, from 10am to 7pm. Wednesday, from 10am to 8pm. Sunday and public holidays, from 10am to 2.30pm. | Closed: January 1st and 6th, May 1st, December 25th and 26th.
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Accessibility details
The Museu d'Història de Catalunya has no architectural barriers and also offers a wide variety of tactile models and displays for the visually impaired.
The museum runs free guided tours (included in the price of admission) on Sunday at noon. Check the museum website for times.
Group visits: pre-booking essential 15 days in advance.
Tel: 93 225 42 44 (Monday-Friday, 9am-2pm and 3.30pm-5.30pm)
mhcvisites.cultura@gencat.cat.
The museum also runs activities for the learning impaired.
Admission is free for disabled visitors, unemployed and the over 65s.
Large-print, high-contrast information panels.
The museum has a large-scale tactile model of the Sagrada Família. Please ask a member of the security staff to remove the rope around it.
Other landmarks around Catalonia that are part of the Museu d’Història (such as Lleida Cathedral) also have models of the buildings in situ.
The museum also has other tactile models and objects which, although not adapted to the visually impaired, are useful and help visitors understand the museum. There are a number of full-scale mock-ups that visitors can touch under the supervision of a guide or educator, such as the prehistoric house and the 1930s kitchen. Visitors can touch other mock-ups and recreations, such as the schools and a castle turret, without asking permission.
On the third floor you can listen to excerpts from radio programmes or historic events as well as music and hymns.
The button panels in the lifts feature raised lettering and Braille.
The staff have received basic sign-language training.
The tour guide can use a microphone and amplifier on request.
The museum entrance is at street level and has automatic doors.
The building is fully accessible, including the café and terrace.
The different floors are connected by ramps and spacious lifts.
Two of the period mock-ups – the castle turret and Romanesque church – are not wheelchair accessible.
The layouts of other mock-ups, such as the Arabian waterwheel, have been improved to enable wheelchair users to move around the space and see the entire process.
There are adapted toilets on the ground floor and fourth floor, where the café is located.
The museum has wheelchairs that can be loaned to visitors.
The Museu d'Història de Catalunya runs two itineraries which are suitable for learning-impaired visitors: “Tocaràs el passat” (You will touch the past), based on the house and lifestyle changes through history; and “El sucre: quina història” (Sugar: what a history!), based on food and flavours,
Other tours and activities can be adapted to the specific needs of the group.
Last update: 01/08/2023
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Booking
Purchase on-line. BCN Shop: Virtual shop run by Turisme de Barcelona where you can purchase tourist products and services.
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