Opening times
Location
Tickets
Admissions
Twitter
Facebook
History of the museum
The History Museum of Catalonia opened its doors in February 1996 by decision of the Government of Catalonia. Unlike other museums, it was not the result of a need to display an existing collection but rather the desire to become a leading centre for popularising our collective history and heritage.
The museum is in the former General Trade Warehouses, a unique building in Barcelona’s old industrial port. After a laborious process to restore and adapt the building, begun in 1991 prompted by the Olympic Games, the decision was made to install the museum there, with a permanent exhibition on the history of Catalonia.
On the first floor of the building, a space of 1,200 m2 was adapted to house the temporary exhibitions of a museum which receives thousands of visitors every year. The exhibitions are complemented by a wide variety of educational, leisure and academic activities.
Over the years, the museum has built up its own collection from donations of objects and documents. Although they are very different, most of the pieces are related to the political and institutional history of Catalonia. Since 1997, the building has also housed the Centre for the Contemporary History of Catalonia (CHCC) and its important library.
The History Museum of Catalonia is part of the Network of Museums and Monuments of the History of Catalonia and is overseen by the Catalan Cultural Heritage Agency (ACdPC).
Museum director's
1996: Carme Laura Gil i Miró
1996-2000: Josep Maria Solé i Sabaté
2000-2008: Jaume Sobrequés i Callicó
2008-2014: Agustí Alcoberro i Pericay
2014-2016: Jusèp Boya i Busquet
2016-2023: Margarida Sala i Albareda
2023: Jordi Principal i Ponce
Explore our history
Prepare the visit
Agenda
Opening times
Location
Tickets
Admissions