Museu del Barroc de Catalunya

About the museum

The museum opened on 1 September 1896 under the name Museo Arqueológico, Biblioteca Pública y Exposición Artística Industrial Permanente (Archaeological Museum, Public Library and Permanent Industrial Art Exhibition), based on a retrospective exhibition held in 1882 in the town hall. It has always depended on Manresa City Council. After the Civil War, in 1941, it reopened as a municipal museum in the former Colegio de Sant Ignasi, where it is still housed, and received holdings from the hiking clubs of the Bages and of Montserrat.

After closing to the public in 1968, it reopened in 1977 as the Museu Comarcal de Manresa, with a multidisciplinary view of the art and history of the city, of the Bages and of Catalonia. In 1990 the post of director was created and the museum was entered in the Register of Museums of Catalonia.

The building is a neoclassical Jesuit college with a square plan around a large cloister, begun in 1737 and dating from around 1750; it is a Bien Cultural de Interés Nacional (protected at national level). The church and the old hospital were destroyed in 1936. Today the space houses the Museu de Manresa and the Museu del Barroc de Catalunya, which displays some twenty exceptional works of Catalan Baroque: carvings, paintings, sculptures and ceramic pieces.

Highlights

• Permanent collection of the Museu del Barroc de Catalunya, with works such as “Naixement” and “La Immaculada intercedint per una ciutat”
• Sculptures by Josep Sunyer i Raurell, such as “Aaron” and “Melquisedec”
• Former Colegio de Sant Ignasi, a Jesuit building protected as a Bien Cultural de Interés Nacional
• Museu Petit with representative pieces from the collection and the city's old giants (gegants) and dwarfs (nans)
• Combined ticket with the medieval interpretation centre on Carrer del Balç

Permanent exhibitions

• Museu del Barroc de Catalunya: colección permanente – Some twenty exceptional works of Catalan Baroque, including carvings, paintings, sculptures and ceramic pieces.
• Museu Petit – Selection of representative pieces from the museum's collection alongside the city's old giants and dwarfs, with free admission.

Founded

1896

Operated by

Ayuntamiento de Manresa

Admission & discounts

Free admission: The first Sunday of each month from 10:00–15:00, Festa Major de Manresa, Festa de la Llum, European Heritage Days and International Museum Day.

The Museu Petit has free admission. Free admission also for members of ICOM and the Associació de Museòlegs de Catalunya, practising professional guides and Generalitat teachers. Entitlement to each discount must be proven.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The museum states that it is accessible for wheelchair users and people with reduced mobility, with access to all spaces and accessible toilets. Some pieces are designed so that blind or partially sighted people can explore Baroque art by touch.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Baby changing facilities

The museum offers a family creativity space and an educational service for schools. The toilets have a baby-changing facility. Under-16s enter free.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Wi-Fi

Free WiFi for visitors.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events

Corporate events, celebrations and meetings can be organised; rates are requested through the contact page.

Plan your visit