Laboratori de Natura

Laboratori de Natura is one of the venues of the Museum of Natural Sciences of Barcelona, housed in the historic Castell dels Tres Dragons building inside Ciutadella Park, in the Ciutat Vella district.

Where is it and how do you get there?

The building sits at Passeig Picasso 5, on the eastern edge of Ciutadella Park — one of the largest and oldest public parks in Barcelona. It's an easy add-on for visitors already exploring the old town: the park is only a short walk from the Arc de Triomf metro station and from the Born neighbourhood. Driving is far less convenient, since central Barcelona has traffic restrictions and paid parking, so metro, bus or a walk from the Gothic Quarter or Born is the practical choice.

What can you actually see inside?

Laboratori de Natura works as a research and documentation space for the museum rather than a conventional exhibition hall. It holds zoology collections, and the plan is for geology collections from the historic Museu Martorell to be integrated here as well. The focus is on scientific documentation of nature more than on a mass-visitor showcase, though the space is also open to people curious about Catalonia's natural world. The building also houses the Fonoteca Natura Sonora, a specialised archive of nature sound recordings — animal calls, forest and coastal soundscapes — plus a documentation centre and a dedicated natural-history library used by researchers and enthusiasts alike.

The setting itself is a draw on its own merits. The Castell dels Tres Dragons was designed by Lluís Domènech i Montaner, one of the leading architects of Catalan Modernisme and the man behind landmarks such as the Palau de la Música Catalana. It was built for the 1888 Universal Exposition as a café-restaurant, and its bare red-brick, neo-Gothic industrial style makes it worth a look even before stepping inside.

When is a good time to visit?

Since Laboratori de Natura sits inside an open city park, it fits naturally into a longer day exploring Ciutadella Park — home to Barcelona Zoo, the seat of the Parliament of Catalonia, and the Hivernacle and Umbracle greenhouses. Give yourself time for an unhurried walk through the park and treat the visit to Laboratori de Natura as one stop among several, particularly appealing if you're into natural sciences or Modernista architecture. Because the space has a specialised, limited-access character, it's worth checking current opening hours and visiting conditions on museuciencies.cat before heading over.

Frequently asked questions

Is Laboratori de Natura a typical tourist museum? Not really — it functions mainly as a working research and documentation centre for the Museum of Natural Sciences of Barcelona, holding zoology collections and scientific resources rather than a conventional exhibition hall.

How do I get to Laboratori de Natura? The easiest route is the metro to Arc de Triomf station, followed by a short walk through Ciutadella Park to reach the building.

What else is worth seeing in Ciutadella Park? The same park holds Barcelona Zoo, the Parliament of Catalonia building, and the Hivernacle and Umbracle greenhouses, all within a comfortable walking distance.

Who designed the building where Laboratori de Natura is located? The Castell dels Tres Dragons was designed by Lluís Domènech i Montaner for the 1888 Universal Exposition, originally as a café-restaurant.