Museu de Gavà i Parc Arqueològic Mines de Gavà

About the museum

The Museu de Gavà was founded in 1978 because of the exceptional archaeological wealth of the area, which came to light through excavations at the prehistoric mines of Gavà and at the Can Sadurní cave in Begues. Since then it has been the institution that researches, conserves and promotes the historical and natural heritage of the surroundings, with a particular focus on the mining site.

The mines were discovered in the early 1970s, during urban development works in the Can Tintorer district. About 6,000 years ago, Neolithic communities dug a network of shafts and galleries to extract variscite, a green mineral used to make jewellery and exchanged for other goods. It is the only European site of this type dedicated to that mineral. The area, protected as a Bien Cultural de Interés Nacional (protected site of national cultural interest), covers more than two hundred hectares and has over one hundred mine entrances.

The museum building, next to Plaza de Dolors Clua, presents the permanent exhibition “Gavà, les veus del paisatge”, a route through six rooms covering the history of the territory from its geological landscape to the contemporary period, and an 800 m² botanical garden. Among the original pieces are the Venus de Gavà, the trepanned skull and the variscite ornaments. The Parc Arqueològic Mines de Gavà, at another venue in the town, is the interpretation centre for the site and allows visitors to walk through a reconstructed mine.

Highlights

• Venus de Gavà, trepanned skull and variscite ornaments on display in the museum
• Neolithic variscite mines 6,000 years old, the oldest galleried mines in Europe
• Route through a reconstructed mine, adapted for people with physical disabilities
• Permanent exhibition “Gavà, les veus del paisatge” in six rooms
• Botanical garden of 800 m² with the local vegetation

Permanent exhibitions

• Gavà, les veus del paisatge – Permanent exhibition: six rooms tracing the history of the territory from its geological landscape and first inhabitants to the contemporary period, with pieces such as the Venus de Gavà.
• Exposición permanente del Parc Arqueològic – Route through nine spaces with audiovisuals, an original variscite mine, thematic laboratories and a reconstructed mine that can be walked through.

Founded

1978

Operated by

Ajuntament de Gavà

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Admission to the Museu de Gavà is free. At the Parc Arqueològic Mines de Gavà the general admission costs €7.50, the reduced fare €4.00 and the concessionary fare €6.00; children under 7 enter free. The park also offers discounts and family and group rates, which should be checked with its information service (+34 932 639 650).

Accessibility

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

The museum route is accessible for any type of physical disability, including wheelchairs and pushchairs, and there is a braille leaflet on the permanent exhibition. The route of the Parc Arqueològic, including the reconstructed mine, is also accessible; there is also the tactile module “La Mirada tàctil” and a guided sensory visit. Only guide dogs are admitted.

Kids & families

• Hands-on stations
• Stroller-friendly

The museum and the park offer educational programmes for all school levels, from pre-school onwards (for example “Petits pintors de la prehistòria” and the visit “En Roc i la Mina ens acompanyen al Parc”). The park has an interactive games room, “Objectiu: Neolític”.

Getting there & parking

By car, via the C-32 (A-16), exit 48A (Gavà).

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop
• Coat check

According to the listing of the Xarxa de Museus Locals of the Diputació de Barcelona, the centre has a shop-bookshop, cloakroom, auditorium and workshop room.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit