The Museu Maritim, or Maritime Museum, stands as a significant attraction in Barcelona, preserving and promoting Catalonia's rich maritime heritage. Housed within the impressive Gothic Reials Drassanes (Royal Shipyards), a historical monument since 1976, the museum offers a deep dive into the region's seafaring past, featuring everything from full-scale ship replicas to antique navigation charts.
Information: Museu Maritim
The Museu Marítim is dedicated to maritime culture, studying and promoting Catalan maritime heritage, which is considered among the richest in the Mediterranean. The museum itself is a public facility managed by the Consorci de les Drassanes Reials i Museu Marítim de Barcelona, a collaboration involving the Barcelona City Council, Provincial Council, and Port Authority. In 2006, it was declared a Museum of National Interest.
Key exhibits include a 1970s full-scale replica of Don Juan de Austria's 16th-century flagship, fishing vessels, and dioramas depicting the Barcelona waterfront. Visitors can also see a life-sized replica of the Ictíneo I, one of the first submarines, invented by Narcís Monturiol in 1858. The museum also features extensive collections of nautical instruments, many from the 18th to 20th centuries, illustrating the evolution of tools like the sextant and depth gauge. Additionally, the entrance fee often includes a visit to the Pailebot Santa Eulàlia schooner located at Moll de la Fusta. The museum's Gothic building, the Drassanes Reials, dating back to the 13th to 18th centuries, is an attraction in itself, showcasing where war and merchant ships were constructed, contributing to Barcelona's historical naval power in the Mediterranean.
Location
The Museu Maritim is situated at Av. de les Drassanes s/n, 08001 Barcelona, on the city's waterfront at the foot of Montjuïc Mountain. It is located on the southern edge of the old town and at the end of La Rambla.
- From Plaça Espanya: The museum is accessible via public transport. You can take the metro Line 3 (L3) from Espanya station directly to Drassanes station, which is immediately adjacent to the museum.
- From Plaça Catalunya: From Plaça Catalunya, you can also take metro Line 3 (L3) directly to Drassanes station. The journey is short and convenient.
Reviews
"The Museum is located in the ancient shipyards of Barcelona. The opening of the Museum dates back to 1941. There are several rooms, but the most visited is the room that houses the life-size reproduction of the Royal galley of Don John of Austria. The Real was the flagship of the Spanish fleet, famous for winning the Battle of Lepanto in 1571. In the other rooms there are ship models, ancient artifacts, naval instruments, nautical cartography. The Museum is also interesting for children for its interactive features." - Family visitor, March 2024
"If you're a lover of the Nautical, ! You can't miss it! We went to visit this museum, my uncle lover of the sea had talked about it and definitely one of my best museum visits in Barcelona after having visited Barcelona about 13 years ago and especially if you are a lover of maritime , you can learn from a lot of nautical history ." - José Adrian D, January 2025
Price
- General Admission: €10.00 (includes admission to temporary exhibitions and a visit to the schooner Santa Eulàlia).
- Reduced Rate: €5.00.
- Groups: €8.00 per person.
- Temporary Exhibitions (foyer): Free admission.
- Free Entry:
- International Museum Day.
- La Mercè festival day and other approved open days.
- Sundays from 3:00 PM onwards.
- Children under 17.
- Members of Friends of the Maritime Museum.
- Accredited members of ICOM, ICMM, and the Association of Museum Curators of Catalonia.
- Accredited professional guides with documentation.
Summary of Museu Maritim
The Museu Marítim is a central institution for understanding Barcelona's and Catalonia's profound connection to the sea. Its location within the historic Royal Shipyards, a Gothic architectural marvel, enhances the visitor experience, making the building itself part of the exhibition. With diverse collections ranging from full-sized ship replicas and ancient artifacts to navigational instruments, the museum effectively portrays centuries of maritime history. It offers engaging exhibits for all ages, including interactive features, and provides free entry on certain days and for specific groups, making it an accessible and enriching cultural destination.
