Museu Martorell

Museu Martorell is Barcelona's oldest purpose-built museum structure, tucked into the greenery of Parc de la Ciutadella near the famous Cascada fountain. The neoclassical 1882 building now operates as the Centre Martorell d'Exposicions, part of the Museu de Ciències Naturals de Barcelona (MCNB), showcasing exhibitions on climate change and the biodiversity crisis.

Where did this museum come from?

The story starts in 1878, when naturalist and collector Francesc Martorell i Peña donated his natural science and archaeology collections to the city, along with funds to build a home for them. Designed by architect Antoni Rovira i Trias, the building opened in 1882 as Barcelona's very first public museum. In 1924 its zoological and botanical collections were moved to the neighbouring Castell dels Tres Dragons, and the Martorell building became known as the Museu de Geologia, focused on mineralogy and palaeontology.

The museum closed its doors to the public in 2010. A thorough restoration only began in 2021, bringing the historic structure back to life while preserving its original character. It reopened in February 2024, this time as an exhibition space within the much larger Museu de Ciències Naturals de Barcelona.

What will you see inside?

The Centre Martorell d'Exposicions is no longer a classic geology museum lined with mineral cabinets — it's now a modern exhibition space where the MCNB presents topics at the frontiers of natural science: climate change, biodiversity loss, and the challenges facing earth sciences today. The building itself, with its distinctive neoclassical facade, is worth seeing regardless of the current exhibition — it's a piece of the city's architectural history spanning more than 140 years.

It helps to know that the Museu de Ciències Naturals de Barcelona as a whole safeguards a heritage of more than three million specimens across mineralogy, petrology, palaeontology, zoology and botany, spread across several sites in the city, with Museu Martorell as one of its historic homes.

How do you get there?

The museum sits in the heart of Parc de la Ciutadella, the largest central park in Barcelona, so walking or taking the metro is easiest. The nearest stations are Arc de Triomf (line L1) and Ciutadella Vila Olímpica (line L4), both just a few minutes' walk through the park's tree-lined paths. The park also borders the Parc Zoològic de Barcelona and the striking Castell dels Tres Dragons, making it simple to combine your visit with other nearby sights.

When should you visit?

The park and the building are best explored in the morning or late afternoon, when crowds thin out and temperatures are more comfortable, especially in summer. Since the site now runs as an exhibition centre, it's worth checking the current temporary exhibition programme before you go, as the offering changes along with MCNB's ongoing themes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Museu Martorell the same as Museu de Geologia? Historically, yes — from 1924 the building operated under the name Museu de Geologia. After its restoration and 2024 reopening, it now runs as the Centre Martorell d'Exposicions, still inside the same historic structure.

Is it part of a larger museum? Yes, the site belongs to the Museu de Ciències Naturals de Barcelona (MCNB), an institution with more than 140 years of history and a collection of millions of natural science specimens.

Does the building have architectural significance? Absolutely — it was Barcelona's first public museum, designed by Antoni Rovira i Trias and opened in 1882, making it a witness to more than 140 years of the city's history.

Is it worth combining with the rest of the park? Yes, its location inside Parc de la Ciutadella means you can also take in the Cascada fountain, the zoo, and the Castell dels Tres Dragons on the same walk, making this corner of Barcelona worth a full afternoon.