Museu d'Història de Barcelona
Historic seat of the city history museum, with Roman Barcino beneath Plaça del Rei and the medieval monumental complex.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Museu d’Història de Barcelona (MUHBA) opened in 1943, after the Civil War, as the Museum of the History of the City, with Agustí Duran i Sanpere as its first director. Its origin lies in the move of Casa Padellàs, stone by stone, from Carrer Mercaders to Plaça del Rei in 1931, following the opening of Via Laietana. The foundation works uncovered remains of ancient Barcino and gave rise to a major archaeological intervention in the square.
The Plaça del Rei site is the founding core of the museum. Its subsoil preserves remains of Roman Barcino from the 1st century BC, of Visigothic Barchinona and of the medieval city: streets, dye-works and workshops, a salting factory, a wine-making installation and the episcopal complex with its baptistery. Above ground stands a monumental complex with the Palau Reial Major, the chapel of Santa Àgata, the Saló del Tinell and Casa Padellàs.
Over the decades the museum incorporated other spaces across the city. Today it forms a network of sites spread across Barcelona. With admission to the Plaça del Rei site, one can also visit the Roman Sepulchral Way, the domus of Avinyó and Sant Honorat, El Call, Vil·la Joana and the Refugi 307. On the upper floors, the exhibition “Barcelona Flashback. Historical Synthesis” traces the city’s trajectory over two millennia.
Highlights
- Streets, dye-works and workshops of Roman Barcino beneath Plaça del Rei
- Barcino episcopal complex with hall, baptistery and residence
- Palau Reial Major, Saló del Tinell and Santa Àgata chapel
- Casa Padellàs, moved stone by stone from Carrer Mercaders in 1931
- Exhibition “Barcelona Flashback. Historical Synthesis”
- Combined ticket with other museum spaces
Permanent exhibitions
- Barcelona Flashback. Síntesis histórica – General exhibition on the first and second floors of Casa Padellàs, tracing more than two thousand years of Barcelona’s history through documents, objects, architecture and landscapes.
- Subsuelo arqueológico de la plaza del Rei – Tour of Roman and Late Antique Barcino: streets, dye-works, salting factory, wine-making installation and episcopal complex.
- Palau Reial Major y Saló del Tinell – Medieval rooms with pieces from the collection explaining the formation of the medieval city and its role in the Mediterranean.
- Founded
- 1943
- Operated by
- Ajuntament de Barcelona
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €7.30 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | –Under-29s, over-65s, holders of the Barcelona Libraries card, unemployed people and holders of the pink card in the reduced category, large and single-parent families, and holders of the BCN Card Express and the Bus Turístic. |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 15 · Free admission for under-16s. |
| Seniors | –Reduced admission for over-65s (the amount is not published on the page consulted). |
| Visitors with disabilities | –companion free · Companions of people with an accredited disability enter free. |
| Groups | –Guided groups are booked at reservesmuseuhistoria@bcn.cat or on 932 562 122. |
Free admission: First Sunday of each month and all Sundays from 15:00. On Sundays, with admission, free guided tours of Plaça del Rei are offered.
The combined ticket costs €7.30 and gives access to Plaça del Rei and the Roman Sepulchral Way, the domus of Avinyó and Sant Honorat, El Call, Vil·la Joana and the Refugi 307. Free admission also for Friends of the Museum, holders of the free pink card, holders of GAUDIR+BCN, members of ICOM and AMC, accredited teaching staff, accredited journalists, accredited tourist guides and holders of the BCN Card. The museum takes part in the Bono Cultural Joven programme.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits
- Sign language tours
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
There are lifts to the permanent and temporary exhibitions, ramps at the entrances, a lift to overcome the level difference in the lobby of the Saló del Tinell, three accessible toilets and loan wheelchairs. Only part of the archaeological subsoil is not accessible by wheelchair. Some pieces may be touched outside the display cases, on prior request. Sign language interpretation is available at all sites for any activity, on advance request. Guide dogs and assistance dogs are admitted.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 15 |
|---|
- Family tours & workshops
The museum organises family tours; under-16s enter free.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Jaume I (L4)
Metro L4, Jaume I station; buses 120, V17 and 45; Barcelona Bus Turístic, southern route (red); Bicing at Avinguda de la Catedral, 6, and at Plaça de l’Àngel.
Amenities & 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 |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | There are guided tours, family tours, itineraries and workshops, and a school programme. The centre’s guide is available in Catalan, Spanish, English and French. |
