Museu del Cau Ferrat

About the museum

Santiago Rusiñol bought a modest fishermen's house in Sitges in July 1893 and in May 1894 acquired the neighbouring house; the two were joined into a house-studio designed with the help of the architect Francesc Rogent. There he gathered a collection of wrought iron and antique objects, which he kept adding to from a young age, and the house became a meeting place for Modernist artists.

Rusiñol died in 1931 and bequeathed the house to the town of Sitges. It opened as a public museum in 1933, thanks to Joaquim Folch i Torres, director of the Museu d'Art de Catalunya, and it is the oldest of Sitges's museums. In 1968 the Diputació de Barcelona took over its management, and in 1994 the Consorci del Patrimoni de Sitges was created, shared by the Diputació and the town council. The complex was restored between 2010 and 2014.

The ground floor preserves Catalan vernacular architecture, with the entrance hall, the dining room with a large fireplace, the fountain room, Rusiñol's study and his alcove. On the first floor is the Gran Saló, a Modernist room inspired by Neo-Gothic style, with a wooden coffered ceiling and large stained-glass windows. The collection includes wrought iron, popular ceramics from the 17th to 19th centuries, stone and glass pieces, ancient art, and modern painting by Rusiñol, Casas, Picasso, Zuloaga and Manolo Hugué, among others.

Highlights

• Santiago Rusiñol's house-studio, a centre of Modernism in Sitges
• Neo-Gothic Gran Saló with coffered ceiling and stained-glass windows
• Wrought-iron collection assembled by Rusiñol
• Popular ceramics and pieces in stone and glass
• Painting and sculpture by Rusiñol, Casas, Picasso, Zuloaga and Manolo Hugué

Permanent exhibitions

• Casa-taller de Santiago Rusiñol – A visit to the rooms of the house-studio, with the Neo-Gothic Gran Saló, the terrace and the wrought-iron collection.
• Colección Santiago Rusiñol – Ancient art (painting, wrought iron, ceramics, glass, archaeology, sculpture, furniture) and modern painting, drawing and sculpture.

Founded

1933

Operated by

Consorci del Patrimoni de Sitges

Admission & discounts

Free admission: The first Wednesday of each month (guided visits and organised groups are not admitted); also on International Museum Day, the Night of the Museums and other open-day events.

Prices correspond to the joint ticket for Cau Ferrat and the Museu de Maricel; the website does not publish a separate rate for Cau Ferrat alone. Free admission also for unemployed people, teachers, the school community of Sitges, members of ICOM, official guides and accredited journalists.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• 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 2014 works removed architectural barriers. There are lifts and platform stairlifts operated by the public-service staff, and a wheelchair and folding chairs are lent on request. Cau Ferrat has tactile paving and a tactile plan of the rooms; the lift buttons have Braille. The counters have induction loops, there are personal receivers for guided visits with an educator, and two audiovisuals with subtitles and sign language. Accredited guide dogs and assistance dogs are admitted.

Kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide

The Museus de Sitges organise workshops for children aged 5 to 11 accompanied by their families. The website offers a treasure-hunt game for children from 7 years old and a family and educational corner.

Getting there & parking

By car, via the C-32 motorway, exit 30 (Sitges Centre).

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop
• Coat check

Bookshop. Visitors are asked to leave umbrellas and bulky items in the cloakroom.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit