Al canviar d'idioma no tots els continguts estan traduït
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Al cambiar de idioma no todos los contenidos están traducidos
Tuesday to Saturday, 10am to 7pm
Wednesdays, 10am to 8pm
Sundays and public holidays, 10am to 2.30pm
The ticket office and entrance are closed 30 minutes before closing time
CLOSED: Mondays that are not bank holidays, 1 and 6 January, 1 May, 18 May, 1 June, 25 and 26 December
Plaça de Pau Vila, 3
08039 Barcelona
Coordinates: 41.380900, 2.185693
932 254 700
mhc.cultura@gencat.cat
Fax 932 254 758
932 254 244
Monday to Thursday: 10am-2pm and 3.30-5.30pm
Friday: 9.30am-2pm
mhcvisites.cultura@gencat.cat
Public transport
Buses V17, H14, D20, V15, V13, 39, 45, 51, 59 and 120
Metro L4 (yellow) Barceloneta
Train to Barcelona Estació de França
Barcelona Tourist Bus: red line; and Barcelona City Tour: eastern route; Museu d’Historia de Catalunya stop.
There are three paid-for car parks nearby: in Passeig Joan de Borbó, Moll d’Espanya and Moll de la Fusta.
Coaches have parking spaces available near the museum building.
“Bicing” bicycle hire in Plaça Pau Vila.
General admission: 4 euros
Reduced admission: 3 euros
General admission: 8 euros
Reduced admission: 6 euros
Tuesday to Saturday, 10am to 7pm
Wednesdays, 10am to 8pm
Sundays and public holidays, 10am to 2.30pm
The ticket office and entrance are closed 30 minutes before closing time
CLOSED: Mondays that are not bank holidays, 1 and 6 January, 1 May, 18 May, 1 June, 25 and 26 December
Plaça de Pau Vila, 3
08039 Barcelona
Coordinates: 41.380900, 2.185693
932 254 700
mhc.cultura@gencat.cat
Fax 932 254 758
932 254 244
Monday to Thursday: 10am-2pm and 3.30-5.30pm
Friday: 9.30am-2pm
mhcvisites.cultura@gencat.cat
Public transport
Buses V17, H14, D20, V15, V13, 39, 45, 51, 59 and 120
Metro L4 (yellow) Barceloneta
Train to Barcelona Estació de França
Barcelona Tourist Bus: red line; and Barcelona City Tour: eastern route; Museu d’Historia de Catalunya stop.
There are three paid-for car parks nearby: in Passeig Joan de Borbó, Moll d’Espanya and Moll de la Fusta.
Coaches have parking spaces available near the museum building.
“Bicing” bicycle hire in Plaça Pau Vila.
General admission: 4 euros
Reduced admission: 3 euros
General admission: 8 euros
Reduced admission: 6 euros
Throughout the 18th century, once the defeat of 1714 had been overcome, Catalonia began a period of economic growth during which the basis was laid for the Industrial Revolution. Agricultural specialisation, the appearance of manufactured cotton cloth and the opening up of trade with America were among the keys to this process.
Industrialisation began from 1830, based on the textile sector. Steam-powered factories and industrial colonies formed a new economic model, transforming the geography and society of Catalonia. The growth of cities ran in parallel with the expansion of two new social classes: the industrial bourgeoisie and the working class.
The construction of the liberal Spanish State met a response, in Catalonia, from Carlism, federal republicanism and protectionist campaigns. At the same time, the Renaixença began, a movement to revitalise the Catalan language and culture which was vitally important in the formation of national consciousness.
After the disaster of 1714 and the long post-war period, Catalan society underwent a period of demographic and economic growth. On the coast, specialisation in vine-growing and the development of traditional industries orientated the market towards exports. Reus, Vilanova and Mataró were active centres of manufacturing and trade.
Throughout the 18th century, the opening up of trade with America played a key role in the economic take-off of the country. Much of the capital obtained from trade with the American colonies was then invested in local industries. Catalonia laid the basis for industrialisation, largely driven by the textile sector.
Vine-growing expanded spectacularly in the 18th century. Marginal land was occupied and entire hills terraced. Much of the equipment used, however, continued to follow the Roman and medieval tradition, including screw presses driven by large beams. Rope presses using thick esparto grass ropes were also used to crush the grapes. In these, pressure was exerted by two large screws. Despite their large size, they were relatively light compared with the large beam presses, which meant that, if necessary, they could be transported to the harvesting centres.
Vine-growing expanded spectacularly in the 18th century. Marginal land was occupied and entire hills terraced. Much of the equipment used, however, continued to follow the Roman and medieval tradition, including screw presses driven by large beams. Rope presses using thick esparto grass ropes were also used to crush the grapes. In these, pressure was exerted by two large screws. Despite their large size, they were relatively light compared with the large beam presses, which meant that, if necessary, they could be transported to the harvesting centres.
The cultural and scientific drive of the second half of the 18th century, associated with the Enlightenment, developed from private academies and institutions like the Board of Trade, the Barcelona Academy of Fine Arts, the Academy of Natural Sciences and Arts and the Academy of Medicine.
All these institutions promoted technical studies and innovation as a response to the needs of industry and made great efforts to publicise the new scientific discoveries of the time. In the arts, the sensitivity of Baroque gave way to the Neoclassical style, and the spirit of the Enlightenment was present in many manifestations of culture.
In the 19th century, Catalonia suffered great political instability. Between 1793 and 1833 the country experienced the final crisis of the Ancien Regime, and the introduction of liberalism prefigured a new model of society which, however, met strong resistance from Carlism. This traditionalist, conservative movement was strongly established in several areas, leading to a long armed conflict.
The struggles between liberals and absolutists during the reign of Ferdinand VII and between moderates and progressives during the reign of Isabella II demonstrate the difficulties for consolidating a modern, liberal State in Spain as a whole. In the second half of the century, democratic ideas and the appearance of the workers’ movement played a fundamental role in political mobilisation and the transformation of the country.
The outbreak of the French Revolution led to a series of wars between the European absolutist powers and revolutionary France. The Catalans suffered the consequences of these conflicts at first hand.
Napoleon occupied the Iberian Peninsula and crowned his brother, Joseph Bonaparte, as King of Spain. Different regions rose up and resisted the invading army. In 1809, after a long siege, the French occupied Girona.
In an attempt to win favour in the country, Napoleon separated Catalonia from the Kingdom of Spain and annexed it to the French Empire. These closer links won approval from part of the bourgeoisie, but did not achieve the expected results.
The Cortes of Cadiz proclaimed the first Spanish liberal Constitution. Known as La Pepa, it established a monarchy based on parliamentarianism, national sovereignty and the separation of powers. It also included a broad declaration of rights.
The end of the Peninsular War brought the return of Ferdinand VII as King of Spain. He abolished the Constitution of Cadiz and re-established absolutism.
The pronouncement of Colonel Riego forced Ferdinand VII to swear the Constitution of Cadiz. However, the European Holy Alliance sent an army to do away with the liberals. During this period, a good part of Spain’s American colonies were finally lost.
After the death of Ferdinand VII, Isabella II came to the throne, supported by the liberals. Ferdinand’s brother, Carlos María Isidro, began an armed revolt with the support of the more conservative sectors. The conflict was experienced intensely in Catalonia and broke out twice more during the century.
The September revolution led to the removal of Isabella II and the beginning of what was known as the Democratic Sexennial. The lower classes, republicans and progressive liberals led the revolt known as La Gloriosa. General Prim became the most important politician of the new regime.
The assassination of General Prim and the failure of the attempt to consolidate a democratic monarchy around the figure of Amadeus of Savoy, led to the proclamation of the First Spanish Republic. However, the Republican period was a tumultuous one and turned out to be a mere prelude to the Bourbon restoration.
The Second Cuban War, beginning in 1895, became the Spanish-American War in 1898 when the United States became involved, defeating the Spanish fleet. As a result of losing the war, Spain also lost Cuba, Puerto Rico and the Philippines, its last overseas territories.
After the economic impulse of the 18th century, during the 19th century Catalonia underwent economic and social transformations deriving from industrialisation. Once the first Carlist War (1833-1840) was over, industrial growth, which had begun in the previous decade, speeded up, with the widespread introduction of the steam engine.
Industrialisation, based above all on the textile sector, established its own particular geography which transformed the territory. In the traditional manufacturing areas like Barcelona, Terrassa and Sabadell, what were known as vapors were installed – steam-powered factories attracting thousands of workers from rural areas. At the same time, industrial colonies were set up in the river basins to use hydraulic energy.
In the 19th century, the working conditions of the working population were extremely tough. Working days were very long – 12 or 13 hours – and wages were barely enough for people to survive. The factories were characterised by lack of hygiene, very high temperatures, noise, pollution and workplace accidents. Children started working very young. Women, who made up the majority of workers in the textile industry, earned much lower wages than men. Work was unstable and crises caused periods of unemployment. Workers who suffered accidents or sickness were not protected and employers and the authorities imposed strict discipline at work.
In the 19th century, the working conditions of the working population were extremely tough. Working days were very long – 12 or 13 hours – and wages were barely enough for people to survive. The factories were characterised by lack of hygiene, very high temperatures, noise, pollution and workplace accidents. Children started working very young. Women, who made up the majority of workers in the textile industry, earned much lower wages than men. Work was unstable and crises caused periods of unemployment. Workers who suffered accidents or sickness were not protected and employers and the authorities imposed strict discipline at work.
With industrialisation, Catalonia discovered the progress and the conflicts resulting from a capitalist society. The Catalan bourgeoisie became aware and organised itself politically to protect its interests in the Spanish parliament. Campaigns in favour of protectionism for industry clashed with the interests of a good part of the State, where a traditional economic structure still predominated.
Meanwhile, the working class was also organising in the face of the lamentable living conditions suffered by many workers. Workers’ groups grew and, from the second half of the century onwards, the emergence of political parties and trade unions connected with the international worker’s movement played a key role in the social mobilisations and political conflicts in the country.
Throughout the 19th century, the industrial bourgeoisie became established as one of the most dynamic groups in society. Industrial ventures in Catalonia were not easy. The lack of energy resources and raw materials was aggravated by the endemic lack of capitalisation and, often, by labour disputes. There were big industrial companies in Catalonia owned by multiple shareholders. Small and medium-sized family businesses became the dominant model and their tenacity made industrialisation possible.
Throughout the 19th century, the industrial bourgeoisie became established as one of the most dynamic groups in society. Industrial ventures in Catalonia were not easy. The lack of energy resources and raw materials was aggravated by the endemic lack of capitalisation and, often, by labour disputes. There were big industrial companies in Catalonia owned by multiple shareholders. Small and medium-sized family businesses became the dominant model and their tenacity made industrialisation possible.
In the mid-19th century, more than 40% of the working population in Barcelona were women. Spinners and weavers were just as important in mechanised industry as they had been in traditional crafts. Their wages were lower than those of men and their work was more monotonous and less highly valued. In 1905, the textile and garment industry in Barcelona employed 30,000 women and 12,000 men. There were also 5,000 boys and girls working, as in the famous picture La nena obrera (The Working Girl) painted in 1882 by Joan Planella.
In the mid-19th century, more than 40% of the working population in Barcelona were women. Spinners and weavers were just as important in mechanised industry as they had been in traditional crafts. Their wages were lower than those of men and their work was more monotonous and less highly valued. In 1905, the textile and garment industry in Barcelona employed 30,000 women and 12,000 men. There were also 5,000 boys and girls working, as in the famous picture La nena obrera (The Working Girl) painted in 1882 by Joan Planella.
Josep Anselm Clavé és el fundador del movimento coral de Catalunya.
The influence of Romanticism and the European cultural trends of the time generated the Renaixença, a movement to revitalise the Catalan language and culture that affected all areas of creation and all social classes. The people behind the Renaixença connected Catalan society with its cultural tradition and were vitally important in forming a national consciousness.
Throughout the 19th century, the various conflicts with the State and the dynamism of Catalan society, with all its complexity, wealth and contradictions, laid the basis for future political Catalan nationalism. The first Catalan Nationalist Congress was held in 1880 and, two years later, the Catalan Centre was established. Among its first actions was the presentation of a petition of grievances to King Alfonso XII.
The Renaixença included various phenomena in the literary and social fields, some of them contradictory. There was a conservative Renaixença linked to the restoration of the Jocs Florals poetry competition with support from sectors of the bourgeoisie and the Church, and a popular, Republican Renaixença, associated both with the theatre in urban areas and satirical weekly publications like La Campana de Gràcia and L'Esquella de la Torratxa. Supporters of an archaic sounding Catalan language were challenged by those who championed “Catalan as it is now spoken”, although leading figures like Jacint Verdaguer and Àngel Guimerà were influenced by both tendencies.
The Renaixença included various phenomena in the literary and social fields, some of them contradictory. There was a conservative Renaixença linked to the restoration of the Jocs Florals poetry competition with support from sectors of the bourgeoisie and the Church, and a popular, Republican Renaixença, associated both with the theatre in urban areas and satirical weekly publications like La Campana de Gràcia and L'Esquella de la Torratxa. Supporters of an archaic sounding Catalan language were challenged by those who championed “Catalan as it is now spoken”, although leading figures like Jacint Verdaguer and Àngel Guimerà were influenced by both tendencies.
Publicado en el año 1833 en el periódico El Vapor, este poema se considera el principio de la Renaixença literaria.
Social changes and population growth meant urban areas had to be adapted to new requirements. The demolition of the walls enclosing the cities and the construction of new rationally planned districts were a first step. In the case of Barcelona, the walls were demolished in 1854 and the Cerdà Plan was implemented, with the building of the Eixample.
Cities were provided with a variety of facilities. Sewerage and water supply to homes became widespread and represented a great leap forward in improving living conditions. Gas supply contributed to street lighting and transport was modernised with horse-drawn trams.
In 1858, the ban on building outside the walls of Barcelona was lifted. A year later, the City Council held a public competition to reward the best design for expanding the city. The winning design, by the architect Antoni Rovira i Trias, was finally replaced by a much more innovative project by the engineer Ildefons Cerdà, which obtained the support of the government. Cerdà’s expansion plan was structured as a network of orthogonal blocks which combined housing and open spaces. Its rationalism and radical egalitarian intent made it an original, unique design which was only later obscured by speculation.
In 1858, the ban on building outside the walls of Barcelona was lifted. A year later, the City Council held a public competition to reward the best design for expanding the city. The winning design, by the architect Antoni Rovira i Trias, was finally replaced by a much more innovative project by the engineer Ildefons Cerdà, which obtained the support of the government. Cerdà’s expansion plan was structured as a network of orthogonal blocks which combined housing and open spaces. Its rationalism and radical egalitarian intent made it an original, unique design which was only later obscured by speculation.
Art Nouveau was the dominant artistic and cultural trend in the Western world at the beginning of the 20th century. In Catalonia, it drew on a historical moment that gave it a very particular character. The cities grew, taking up the new architecture, and the need to modernise society and culture in the context of successive political crises became a priority for local intellectuals.
Important figures like Antoni Gaudí, Joan Maragall, Ramon Casas and Santiago Rusiñol expressed their spirit of transformation based on different sensitivities and they placed Catalan culture in the front line. Architecture, music, theatre, literature, as well as political essays, were imbued with the spirit of what was known as Modernisme, with a great impact on the society of the time.
The construction of Santa Creu i Sant Pau hospital, begun in 1902, was possible thanks to the legacy of the banker Pau Gil and the contributions of Barcelona City Council in order to provide the city with a hospital adapted to the new hygienic tendencies suitable for the growing population. The complex, designed by Lluís Domènech i Montaner, was opened in 1930 and it became the most important civil building in the Catalan Art Nouveau style. The hospital is a landmark for heritage and culture not only in Barcelona and Catalonia, but at world level. In 1997, together with the Palau de la Música Catalana concert hall, it was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
The construction of Santa Creu i Sant Pau hospital, begun in 1902, was possible thanks to the legacy of the banker Pau Gil and the contributions of Barcelona City Council in order to provide the city with a hospital adapted to the new hygienic tendencies suitable for the growing population. The complex, designed by Lluís Domènech i Montaner, was opened in 1930 and it became the most important civil building in the Catalan Art Nouveau style. The hospital is a landmark for heritage and culture not only in Barcelona and Catalonia, but at world level. In 1997, together with the Palau de la Música Catalana concert hall, it was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
Tuesday to Saturday, 10am to 7pm
Wednesdays, 10am to 8pm
Sundays and public holidays, 10am to 2.30pm
The ticket office and entrance are closed 30 minutes before closing time
CLOSED: Mondays that are not bank holidays, 1 and 6 January, 1 May, 18 May, 1 June, 25 and 26 December
Plaça de Pau Vila, 3
08039 Barcelona
Coordinates: 41.380900, 2.185693
932 254 700
mhc.cultura@gencat.cat
Fax 932 254 758
932 254 244
Monday to Thursday: 10am-2pm and 3.30-5.30pm
Friday: 9.30am-2pm
mhcvisites.cultura@gencat.cat
Public transport
Buses V17, H14, D20, V15, V13, 39, 45, 51, 59 and 120
Metro L4 (yellow) Barceloneta
Train to Barcelona Estació de França
Barcelona Tourist Bus: red line; and Barcelona City Tour: eastern route; Museu d’Historia de Catalunya stop.
There are three paid-for car parks nearby: in Passeig Joan de Borbó, Moll d’Espanya and Moll de la Fusta.
Coaches have parking spaces available near the museum building.
“Bicing” bicycle hire in Plaça Pau Vila.
General admission: 4 euros
Reduced admission: 3 euros
General admission: 8 euros
Reduced admission: 6 euros