Museu Can Mario

About the museum

Can Mario occupies a former cork factory from the early 20th century, part of the industrial complex of the company Miquel & Vincke, on the Plaça de Can Mario in Palafrugell, next to the Modernista Torre de l'Aigua and the Museu del Suro.

The Fundació Vila Casas opened the museum in 2004 as the Museu d'Escultura Contemporània. It brings together some 220 sculptures, from the 1960s to today, by artists born in or living in Catalonia.

In April 2011, 33 sculptures by artists from the Empordà were installed in the Jardí de Can Mario, forming an open-air permanent display. In October of the same year the Sala Empordà was opened indoors, devoted to exhibitions by artists linked to that region.

The permanent exhibition was renewed in June 2023 and incorporates numerous works that have joined the collection in recent years. Some 200 pieces are presented in dialogue with one another, regardless of chronology or artistic movement, in a more open display that gives greater prominence to each work.

Highlights

• Permanent collection of contemporary Catalan sculpture with some 200 works on display
• Works by artists such as Joan Miró, Jaume Plensa, Sergi Aguilar and Antoni Llena
• Jardí de Can Mario with 33 sculptures by artists from the Empordà
• Former cork factory from the early 20th century
• Sala Empordà for artists linked to the region

Permanent exhibitions

• Colección permanente de escultura contemporánea – Some 200 works by Catalan sculptors such as Joan Miró, Jaume Plensa, Sergi Aguilar, Antoni Llena and Aurèlia Muñoz, presented in dialogue regardless of chronology or trends; the display was renewed in 2023.
• Jardí de Can Mario – Open-air permanent display of 33 sculptures by artists from the Empordà, installed in April 2011.

Founded

2004

Operated by

Fundació Vila Casas

Admission & discounts

Tickets are bought from the foundation's online shop. Discounts require supporting documentation; the groups with reduced rates also include subscribers to La Vanguardia, Amics dels Museus de Catalunya, the Associació de Museòlegs de Catalunya and Òmnium Cultural.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

The museum is in the centre of Palafrugell, opposite the market, about a 3-minute walk from the Plaça Nova. By car, about 1 hour 30 minutes from Barcelona.

Amenities & dining

The shop is online; no physical shop is described.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

The space, a former cork factory, is available for hire from Tuesday to Sunday depending on the time of year. Enquiries: canmario@fundaciovilacasas.com.

Plan your visit