Housed in dockyards that date back to the 14th century, Barcelona’s Maritime Museum will appeal to all visitors and takes you deep into the port city’s history and heritage.
With replica ships, paintings and interactive exhibits, there’s so much to explore and learn here about the rich seafaring history of Spain in times gone by. Don’t worry if you’re not a shipping enthusiast. There’s plenty to enjoy here with the museum’s striking architecture and interesting exhibits. There’s something to engage everyone.
Built back in 1378, the Royal Dockyards were once used for shipbuilding as well as to keep ships and equipment for the navy. To this day, these dockyards remain among the most impressive and most complete dockyards left from medieval times, anywhere across the globe. They are of a striking design with gothic-style stone archways and wooden beams. The largest naves reach some 60 metres in length and nine metres in height.
At the heart of the museum, stands its biggest attraction - a full-size replica of a ship which was built here in the dockyards back in the 14th century. Feast your eyes on its grandeur as well as its intricate detail. To help understand more about the era and to put this into context, there is an atlas of the world on display here that dates back to the 1300s on display here, which will help you learn more about Barcelona’s heritage as a port town.
Bear in mind if you plan to visit soon, the museum is currently in the process of being renovated, and much of it is shut to the public until 2014. Before then however you can still pay a reduced entrance fee to see some of the permanent exhibits as well as temporary exhibits that are currently on display. You can see what’s open free of charge if you visit on Sundays after 3 p.m.
The museum can be easily reached on foot, by bus or metro. You’ll find it at the end of La Rambla, opposite the Christopher Columbus statue. The museum is open daily, but closes for two days over Christmas and again for two days in January – check online for more info on opening times.
