Gliptoteca Monjo

Gliptoteca Monjo is a small museum dedicated to the sculptor Enric Monjo, located in Vilassar de Mar, a coastal town in the Maresme region just north of Barcelona. Officially known as the Museu-Gliptoteca Enric Monjo, it occupies a historic building on the town's main street, a short walk from the seafront.

What is this place?

The building has had several lives before becoming a museum — it once served as an inn, and later as the town hall. Its facade still carries modernist decoration from 1902, designed by architect Eduard Ferres i Puig, making the exterior worth a look on its own. The museum in its current form opened in 1971 and has since built a collection centered on the work of Enric Monjo (1895–1976), one of the notable Catalan sculptors of the twentieth century.

What will you see inside?

The exhibition spreads across several floors. The ground floor is given over to temporary exhibitions, mostly of visual arts with a strong focus on sculpture, so the program changes throughout the year and rewards repeat visits. The first floor holds the permanent core of the museum: an exhibition titled "Enric Monjo, escultor" that traces the sculptor's career from his early work to his mature output. The second floor preserves the artist's former workshop along with storage rooms and working spaces — this part can only be seen on a guided tour, which gives the visit a more intimate feel than a standard walk through gallery rooms.

How do you get there?

The Gliptoteca sits at Camí Ral 30, the historic main street of Vilassar de Mar that runs parallel to the shore. It's right in the town centre, so reaching it on foot from the train station or the seafront promenade is straightforward. Vilassar de Mar sits on the rail line connecting Barcelona with the Maresme coast, which makes it an easy day-trip destination.

When should you visit?

Like most small local museums, the Gliptoteca keeps limited opening hours and may close on certain days of the week, so it's worth checking the current schedule directly before planning your visit. The rotating temporary exhibitions on the ground floor are a good reason to come back more than once, since the program is refreshed periodically and a return visit can show a different side of the same museum.

Who is this museum for?

It suits anyone interested in twentieth-century art and sculpture, as well as visitors who want to see Vilassar de Mar beyond its beach and promenade. The compact format means a visit won't take up your whole day, and it pairs naturally with a stroll through the town centre, including a stop to admire the building's own early-1900s facade.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who was Enric Monjo? Enric Monjo (1895–1976) was a Catalan sculptor whose life's work the museum is built around — the first floor holds a career-spanning exhibition of his output.

Can visitors see the artist's workshop? Yes, the former sculpture workshop occupies the second floor, but it's only accessible as part of a guided tour, not on a self-guided visit.

Where exactly is the building located? At Camí Ral 30, in the centre of Vilassar de Mar close to the seafront, in a building that still shows its modernist 1902 facade.

Does the museum only show Monjo's sculptures? No — the ground floor is reserved for temporary exhibitions by other visual artists, so the museum's program extends beyond its permanent collection.