Museu del Suro de Palafrugell

About the museum

The museum was founded in 1972 as the Museu de Palafrugell by the archaeologist Miquel Oliva and local researchers, and had several locations before moving into its current building. In 1995 it became a section of the Museu de la Ciència i de la Tècnica de Catalunya, with which it had been linked since the late 1980s. The permanent site opened on 29 June 2012 in the former cork factory of Can Mario.

The building is a factory built at the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th century for the company Miquel, Vincke & Meyer, one of the most important firms in the Spanish cork industry. Its main façade has Modernist decoration by the architect General Guitart, and in 2010-2011 a reception module of glass and steel was added.

The permanent exhibition, completely renewed, covers around 1,200 m² with an immersive and interactive route. It explains the cork oak ecosystem and the history of cork, from the first stopper to robotised production, and displays machinery from the factory, play areas such as the Minimón and tactile routes. The institution also manages the Dipòsit d'Aigua Modernista de Can Mario and the Conjunt Monumental de Sant Sebastià de la Guarda, in Llafranc.

Highlights

• Interactive journey through the world of cork: from the cork oak forest to the stopper
• Former cork factory with a Modernist façade
• Original industrial machinery on display
• Minimón, a play area for young children
• Tactile routes and audio guide with sign language
• Dipòsit d'Aigua Modernista de Can Mario, a cultural heritage site of national interest

Permanent exhibition

• Exposición permanente del Museu del Suro – Interactive route of around 1,200 m² through the cork oak forest, the history of cork and the machinery of the former factory, with play areas and tactile routes.

Founded

1972

Admission & discounts

Free admission: The first Sunday of each month (except for activities) and all temporary exhibitions (except the Bienal Miserachs).

Family activities in summer and at weekends (guided visits, routes and workshops): €3 per participant, free with the Edunauta passport. Other groups with free admission: teachers with a card, members of ICOM and other associations, professional tour guides and accredited unemployed people.

Accessibility

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

Street-level entrance with automatic doors and a route accessible by lift; wheelchairs and folding chairs can be borrowed at reception. Two spaces reserved for reduced mobility on Calle de Pi i Margall, 49–51, about 70 m from the entrance. Accessible toilet in the basement, with a baby-changing table. Tactile route with Braille and tactile paving, audio guide with sign language included in admission, the audiovisual “La revolució del suro” in sign language (on request) and an induction loop at reception. Guide dogs and assistance dogs are admitted (with a non-extendable lead of max. 1.5 m).

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations
• Baby changing facilities
• Playground / play area

Monthly programme of family activities at weekends and during the Christmas, Easter and summer holidays. The route includes interactive areas and the Minimón play area. Baby-changing facilities in the accessible toilet and a breastfeeding room.

Getting there & parking

From Barcelona (about 135 km) via the AP-7 and C-35 to the C-31, exit 331 “Palafrugell Sud”. From the French border via the AP-7, exit 6, and the C-66, exit “Palafrugell Nord”. The museum is on the Pirinexus and Vies Verdes cycle routes.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop
• Lockers

Shop with books and publications, games, the museum's own products and leather and home goods. Lockers near the entrance.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit