Barcelona hosts more than 35 museums, with interests ranging from the racy exhibits of the Museu de l’Erotica, to more historic sites, such as the fortress of the Museu Militar de Montjuic. Following are some of the city’s more popular museums, including addresses, hours, and admission charge if available.
• Museu de la Xocolata The Chocolate Museum is a tasty showcase of Barcelona’s local confectionary guild. Among its many cocoa creations, the museum features chocolate miniatures of Gaudi’s Casa Mila and Casa Batllo, as well as informative presentations on the history of everyone’s most delicious indulgence. C/ Comerc, 93 268 78 78 M, W-Sat: 10-7, Sun: 10-3, Closed Tuesdays Admission: Free
• Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya Officially declared a national museum in 1990, the MNAC is housed in the grand Palau Nacional, which was built for the 1929 exposition. This museum features one of the world’s finest collections of Romanesque mural paintings, as well as reconstructed church interiors including frescoes, altarpieces, carvings and sculptures. In addition to the MNAC’s permanent exhibition of works by Spanish artists such as Goya and El Greco, there is an impressive collection of Gothic paintings by some of the most important painters within the Catalan School from the 14th and 15th centuries. Parc de Montjuic Tue-Sat: 10-7, Sun: 10-2:30 Admission: Free
• Museu de Cera Barcelona’s wax museum. Passatge de la Banca, off the foot of the Ramblas
• Museu d’Art Contemporani de Barcelona The MACBA is composed of art produced over the last fifty years, along with works connected to the avant-garde movements from the turn of the century. C/ Angels Montalegre M, W-Fri: 11-7:30, Sat: 10-8, Sun: 10-3, Closed Tuesdays Admission: 3-7 euros
• Museu de l’Erotica Opened in 1997, this petite museum holds a prize exhibit of Chinese and Japanese engravings, as well as interesting Kama Sutra illustrations, Japanese erotic drawings, and replicas of African phallic sculptures that emphasize the importance of sexuality in art throughout the ages. Open October- May: 11-9, June- Sept: 10-12
• Fundacio Miro The Miro foundation, opened in 1975, was a gift from the well-known contemporary artist, Joan Miro, and is one Barcelona’s most impressive displays of modern art. Montjuic, Av. Miramar 93 329 19 08 Tues-Wed & Fri- Sat: 10-7, Thurs: 10-9:30, Sun: 10-2:30 Admission: 5 euros
• Museu de Ciencies Naturals This museum encompasses both the Museu de Zoologia Historia Natural, with its collection of over 85 thousand invertebrates, 800 arthropods, and 18,000 vertebrates, housed in the Castell dels Tres Dragons (originally built as a café for the 1888 World Fair), as well as the Museu de Geologia, which features over 10,000 rock specimens from Catalonia, Spain, and around the world. Parc de la Ciutadella Fri-Wed: 10-2, Thurs 11-6:30 Admission: 3 euros
• Museu Picasso The Picasso Museum, internationally renowned, and housed in three adjoining medieval palaces, displays the largest collection of Picasso’s early works, including childhood sketches, engravings, lithographs, and pottery. The museum’s best known work, however, is Las Meninas, Picasso’s Cubist variations on the famous work of the same name by the father of Spanish painting, Valazquez. C/Montcada Tue-Sat: 10-8 Sun: 10-3 Admission: 4.50 euros
• Museu Militar de Montjuic Located inside an 18th century Barcelona fortress, the Military Museum features an impressive collection of weapons dating from the 15th century to present day, as well as a 20,000 piece display of miniatures, castle models, and lead soldiers.
• Museu Barbier-Mueller d’Art Precolombi This small but impressive museum, located in the Nadal Palace, holds a prestigious collection of tribal and ancient art from the Americas, Asia, and the Pacific, including sculptures, masks, pottery, gold, silver, and jewels. C/Montcada Tues-Sat: 10-6, Sun & holidays: 10-3 Admission: 3 euros
• Museu Maritim With a large collection of model ships, including a full-size replica of Juan de Austria’s Lepanto slave gallery, the Maritime Museum is a must-see for boat lovers and Barcelona history enthusiasts. Av. De les Drasanes
• Museu Egipci Belonging to the Fundacio Arqueologica Clos, this collection of Ancient Egyptian art includes over 400 sarcophaguses, funerary steles, and busts from throughout the different Pharaoh periods. Av. De Catalunya Mon-Sat: 10-8, Sun: 10-2 Admission: 5.50 euros
• Museu d’art Modern The Modern Art Museum features a large collection of paintings, sculptures, drawings, engravings, and decorative objects by Catalan artists from the 19th and 20th centuries. Included are works from Catalan artists related to the modernist movement such as, Fortuny, Rusinol, Gaudi, and Homar. Parc de la Ciutadella Tues-Sat: 10-7, Sun & public holidays: 10-2:30 Admission: 3 euros
Today is: Sunday, Feb 05, 2012