Museo Massó
Maritime and industrial museum in a former cannery in Bueu, explaining the conquest of the sea and the exploitation of its resources.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Museo Massó occupies the oldest buildings of the former Massó Hermanos canning factory, beside the port of Bueu, on the Pontevedra estuary (ría de Pontevedra). The idea of a museum arose in 1928, when Guglielmo Marconi visited the factory and was impressed by the collection of navigation instruments, old documents and ship models that the family kept in their house. Following his advice, the Massó brothers built an extra floor on the oldest building of the complex, and the museum was born in 1932.
Over time the museum added evidence of the canning and whaling industries and of fishing activity. After the factory closed, the Xunta de Galicia acquired the complex in 1994; today it is an institution with regional ownership and management, created by Decree 238/2002.
The permanent exhibition traces the history of navigation and maritime expeditions and explains how the resources of the sea were used through salting, canning and whale hunting. Other spaces show the history of Bueu as a seafaring town and the restored industrial buildings of the cannery, a singular example of early industrial architecture in Galicia. In July 2025 a room was opened dedicated to the Galician painter Urbano Lugrís and to his beginnings, linked to the Massó family.
Highlights
- Museum housed in the historic buildings of the Massó Hermanos cannery
- Route through the conquest of the sea and the great maritime expeditions
- Salting, canning and whale-hunting industries
- Room dedicated to the painter Urbano Lugrís, opened in 2025
- Free admission
Permanent exhibitions
- La conquista del mar y la explotación de los recursos del mar – Tour through the history of navigation and maritime expeditions, and through the salting, canning and whale-hunting industries.
- Espacios restaurados de la conservera – Restored buildings of the former cannery complex, which are part of the visit and show early industrial architecture.
- Urbano Lugrís en el Museo Massó y viceversa – Room dedicated to the Galician painter Urbano Lugrís and to his artistic beginnings linked to the Massó family.
- Founded
- 1932
- Operated by
- Xunta de Galicia
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
Free admission. Guided tours and workshops for groups are also free of charge.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
- Family tours & workshops
- Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
Free educational workshops for school groups and other groups (roughly ages 4 to 10) on whales, corsairs, the beach, marine pollution or underwater archaeology; groups of at least 10 people with prior booking. Digital resources include a downloadable audiobook featuring the characters Os Bolechas.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Regular buses to Pontevedra, Marín and Cangas.
From Vigo (29 km): AP-9, exit 146 (Moaña, Cangas), then the PO-551 (“Corredor do Morrazo”). The museum is near the port of Bueu.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 60 min |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Photography | Photographs are permitted for personal use; tripods and selfie sticks are not allowed. |
| Good to know | Free guided itineraries are for groups of at least 10 people, last about one hour and require prior registration (+34 886 151 101 or museo.masso@xunta.gal). Thematic itineraries cover the cannery, the work of women of the sea, the salting at Mourisca and woodworking trades; for school groups they are also available in English. Large bags, umbrellas, food and drink are not allowed; only guide dogs are admitted. |
