Museu de Montserrat

About the museum

The museum originates in the Museu Bíblic de Montserrat, which opened in 1911 with the archaeological, ethnological and natural materials that Father Bonaventura Ubach had gathered in the Holy Land, Egypt, Syria and Iraq to illustrate the Bible. The monastery had lost much of its historical heritage in the 19th century, so the present collection comes from later acquisitions and private donations.

In 1963 the Museu de Montserrat proper was established, with archaeological materials from the Near East and Renaissance and Baroque painting from the monastery itself. In 1982 the collection was enlarged with a large donation of 19th- and 20th-century painting by Josep Sala Ardiz, to which other contributions were later added. The redevelopment of the sanctuary squares in 2004 gave the museum more space for temporary exhibitions, a reserve store and a new entrance, and in 2006 the Parlament de Catalunya declared it a Museum of National Interest.

The museum occupies underground spaces built between 1928 and 1933 by Josep Puig i Cadafalch beneath the squares and the foundations of the monastery's tower. In 2023 the room “Montserrat s. XIV” opened, which displays in situ the remains of the oldest surviving buildings of the monastery.

Highlights

• Collection of ancient archaeology, with Egyptian and Near Eastern pieces
• Ancient, modern and avant-garde painting
• Room “Montserrat s. XIV” with remains of the medieval monastery
• Underground spaces by Josep Puig i Cadafalch
• Temporary exhibitions in the Sala Pere Daura and the Espai d'Art Pere Pruna

Permanent exhibitions

• Arqueología del mundo antiguo – Collection of archaeology from the Near East and Egypt, the historical origin of the museum.
• Pintura antigua, moderna y de vanguardia – Painting from the 16th to the 20th century, with holdings from the monastery and donations from collectors.
• Montserrat s. XIV – Room showing in situ the remains of the oldest surviving buildings of the monastery.

Founded

1911

Director

Xavier Caballé

Admission & discounts

Free admission: 27 April, feast day of the Mare de Déu de Montserrat.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

There are family activities based on the collection, such as “Detectiu al Museu de Montserrat”, “Les mòmies parlen”, “Adgmet, el nen egipci” and “El petit escriba”.

Getting there & parking

The museum is in the area of the Montserrat monastery, well connected by road.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

The museum has a shop, including an online shop.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit