Museu del Pessebre de Catalunya
Museum dedicated to the art of the Catalan nativity scene, with more than 550 dioramas and around 20,250 figures, in a building designed as a giant nativity scene.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Museu del Pessebre de Catalunya grew out of the initiative of Ismael Porta and Teresa Bordell, nativity-scene makers from Montblanc and well-informed admirers of the work of the Castells brothers. In 1995, during the 26th Trobada de Pessebristes de Catalunya in Castellar del Vallès, they organised an exhibition dedicated to Martí Castells i Martí that brought together some 1,500 figures. Seeing that some collections had been lost or had deteriorated, and that the nativity-scene associations had no permanent premises, the idea of creating a museum arose.
The promoters bought two buildings on Carrer Solans in Montblanc, one of them a former stable. At the end of 1999 demolition began, and a new building was erected on the same foundations, conceived as a large monumental nativity scene with different settings to conserve, display and research Catalan nativity-scene heritage.
In 2014 the Fundació Museu del Pessebre de Catalunya was established, working together with the Associació Pessebristes de Montblanc and with a large number of volunteers. The museum was officially inaugurated on 15 December 2018.
The permanent collection brings together more than 550 dioramas and more than 20,250 figures, human and animal, spread across the first two floors and coming from nativity-scene associations across Catalonia. The third floor is used for temporary exhibitions, and a documentary archive records the origin and making of each diorama and figure. The museum has given priority to accessibility.
Highlights
- More than 550 dioramas and around 20,250 figures of Catalan nativity scenes
- Dioramas of New Testament scenes, such as the Baptism of Jesus or the miraculous catch of fish
- Building designed as a giant nativity scene, with an accessible lift and walkway
- Documentary archive on the origin and making of each piece
- Reception shop with figures and materials for setting up a nativity scene
Permanent exhibition
- Colección permanente de belenes – More than 550 dioramas and more than 20,250 figures across the first two floors, with New Testament scenes and pieces from nativity-scene associations across Catalonia.
- Founded
- 2018
- Operated by
- Fundació Museu del Pessebre de Catalunya
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €4 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €3Groups of 12 or more people, large and single-parent families, students, Carné Joven holders, retired people and pensioners, teachers with a teaching card, unemployed people and people with disabilities (with proof) |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 11 · Free admission for children under 12, who must be accompanied by an adult. |
| Seniors | €3Reduced fare for retired people and pensioners. |
| Visitors with disabilities | €3Reduced fare with proof. |
| Students & apprentices | €3Reduced fare with proof. |
| Groups (12+ people) | €3 per personReduced fare for groups of 12 or more people. |
Free admission also for holders of the nativity-scene makers' card (carné de pessebristes), with proof.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials
- Audio description: no information
Reception adapted for wheelchair users, a lift serving all floors (ground, first, second and third) and accessible toilets on the ground floor. Induction loops at the information and ticket desk. NaviLens codes with content in 38 languages and formats, including audio, and materials in several formats, including easy-read. Guide dogs and assistance dogs are allowed in the building and in the rooms. The second-floor walkway is accessible to people with reduced mobility and to children. Spaces marked for people with reduced mobility on Carrer de la Pedrera.
Kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 11 |
|---|
Children under 12 enter free but must be accompanied by an adult. The museum is preparing a school and workshop space.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Passeig de Josep Conangla (parada de autobús)
Train: Renfe R13 (Lleida–Barcelona, via Valls) and R14 (Lleida–Barcelona, via Tarragona). Bus: stop on Passeig de Josep Conangla, from where the museum is reached on foot.
By car
Parking available
Free: Muralla de Sant Jordi and Passeig de Josep Conangla. Paid (blue zone): Plaça de Catalunya and Plaça de Sant Miquel. Spaces marked for people with reduced mobility on Carrer de la Pedrera.
- Accessible parking
There is a second entrance from Carrer del Castell, 11-13 A, useful for those arriving by bus. By car: AP-2, exit 9 (Montblanc), or N-240.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Museum shop
The reception shop sells figures and materials for setting up or buying a nativity scene.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Photography | Flash photography is not permitted. |
| Good to know | Guided visits “on request” with the museum's collaborating team, who explain how the figures and dioramas are made; book by email (informacio@museudelpessebre.cat) or by phone. Eating and drinking are not allowed in the rooms. |
