Casa Castellarnau

Casa Castellarnau is a Gothic-Renaissance townhouse in the old quarter of Tarragona, now home to the city's History Museum (Museu d'Història de Tarragona, MHT).

Where does this palace come from?

The building, on Carrer dels Cavallers 14, dates back to the early 15th century, when its first known owner was Iu Ferré, a member of the city council. In 1542 the interiors were substantially remodeled to host King Charles I during his stay in the city. Two centuries later, in 1764, the house was bought by the Castellarnau family, who gave it its current name and turned it into their private residence. That layered history - from a medieval councilman's home, to a royal residence, to an aristocratic family's palace - makes the building itself a lesson in Tarragona's past.

What will you see inside?

The upper floors display 18th- and 19th-century furniture and everyday objects, arranged much as they would have looked when the aristocracy lived there. Permanent displays include an archaeological and ethnographic collection, the Sánchez Camargo collection, and the Quintana family legacy - among them a model of the first aircraft to fly over the city, in 1913. A very different chapter of history waits in the basement: a stretch of the southern wall of Plaça de la Representació, a well-preserved section of the 12th-century city walls, and traces of the medieval houses demolished to make room for the palace. One visit therefore combines a bourgeois interior with underground archaeology.

How to get there?

Casa Castellarnau sits in Part Alta, Tarragona's historic quarter, a short walk from the cathedral and the Roman forum. Walking is by far the easiest way to reach it, since the old town has the densest concentration of heritage sites in the city and its narrow, stepped streets leave little room for cars anyway. Both the train station and the main bus stops are roughly a 15-20 minute walk away, so the house pairs easily with a visit to the rest of the old town.

When should you visit?

The building has been undergoing restoration work, so it's worth checking current opening hours on the Museu d'Història de Tarragona website before setting out - that way you avoid disappointment on arrival. Walking through Part Alta itself is rewarding at any time of year, though spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons: Mediterranean summers in Tarragona can get quite hot, and the palace's small rooms don't have the air conditioning of a modern museum.

Frequently asked questions

What makes Casa Castellarnau different from Tarragona's other landmarks? It's one of the few examples in the city of a bourgeois townhouse where visitors can trace an unbroken line from medieval foundations, through a Renaissance-era remodel done for a royal visit, to the 18th-century interiors left by the Castellarnau family.

Does the ticket cover other MHT sites? Casa Castellarnau belongs to the Museu d'Història de Tarragona network, alongside sites such as the Praetorium and the Roman amphitheatre - ask about a combined ticket if you plan to visit more than one site the same day.

How long does a visit take? Given the house's modest size, seeing the interiors and basement typically takes 45-60 minutes.

Is the site accessible for visitors with disabilities? The museum offers accessibility features, including materials in sign language - it's worth confirming details directly before your visit, especially while restoration work is ongoing.