Barcelona celebrates its exciting history through a number of museums. There are four venues that, together, comprise the City History Museum of Barcelona(Museu d’Historia de la Ciutat or MHCB): the Museum-Monastery of Pedralbes, the Centre for Interpretation in Parc Güell, the Verdaguer Museum-House, and the Monumental Ensemble of the Plaça del Rei.
The history contained in the MHCB goes back over two thousand years. However, the Museum itself only dates to 1999. At that time the Barcelona City Council decided to reorganize the museums and the collections specific to the city. The result was a concentration of Barcelona’s history in the venues that would make the “best cultural use” of the city’s heritage. The City History Museum is charged with research, dissemination, and convservation of the buildings and objects the “exemplify the city’s past.”
Perhaps the most popular site in the City History Museum is Monumental Ensemble of the Plaça del Rei. The grounds include an 11th century palau Condal (Count’s Palace) that later served as the Royal Palace and residence for the Catalonia and Aragon kings. Underground there is an archaeological site displaying Roman ruins from the first century B.C. through the 8th century C.E. These are the world’s largest subterranean Roman ruins. The square itself also include a lookout tower and a Gothic Palace. Artifacts are displayed in chronological order from the Roman era through modern times.
The Museum-Monastery of Pedralbes is an impressive structure filled with paintings and artifacts detailing the monastery’s history and the lives of the St. Clare nuns who have resided there since 1327. The Verdaguer Museum-House is located in an 18th century farmhouse and features a unique collection of Catalan literature. The Centre for Interpretation in Parc Güell is an exhibit documenting the design and construction of the park and also serves as a tourist information center for visitors.
In addition to exploring the MHCB, visitors to Barcelona may want to check out the various parks, theaters, beaches, churches, and art museums in the city. Accomodations range from small hostels to 5 star Barcelona hotels and there are many opportunities for shoppers to peruse vendors, markets, and even shopping malls. Don’t forget to enjoy the delicious Spanish cuisine offered throughout the city and to spend at least one evening in a local bar or nightclub to get a real feel for the Barcelona experience.