Premià de Mar Textile Printing Municipal Museum

Premià de Mar Textile Printing Municipal Museum is Spain's only museum entirely dedicated to the craft of textile printing, located in the coastal town of Premià de Mar in Catalonia, a short ride from Barcelona.

Where is the museum located?

The museum occupies the former gasworks building (Fàbrica del Gas), constructed in 1884. The structure underwent a thorough restoration, completed in 2002, and the fully renovated museum opened its first stage of permanent exhibits to the public in 2005. The institution itself is older still: it was founded in 1983 as a local project to preserve the town's textile-printing heritage.

Premià de Mar sits on the Maresme coast, roughly fifteen kilometers northeast of Barcelona, which makes the museum an easy add-on to a day trip from the Catalan capital.

How do you get there?

Premià de Mar has its own railway station served by the Rodalies regional network, so the trip from central Barcelona is quick and direct — the line runs along the shore, meaning the ride itself offers sea views. From the station, the old gasworks housing the museum is only a short walk away. Drivers can instead take the C-32 motorway, which runs parallel to the coastline.

What will you see inside?

The permanent exhibition traces the history of textile printing — the technique of dyeing and stamping patterns onto fabric — from its craft origins through industrialization. On display are printing tools, pattern blocks, fabric samples, and machinery used across different production eras. The museum also explains how the textile-printing trade helped drive the industrialization of Catalonia as a whole, with Premià de Mar standing as one of the sector's historic centers.

A notable part of the visit is the workshop area, where demonstrations show traditional fabric-printing techniques in practice. This makes the visit more than a walk past display cases — part of it is hands-on, giving a real sense of how printers once worked.

The museum belongs to the mNACTEC network (the Museum of Science and Technology of Catalonia) and the Barcelona Provincial Council's Local Museum Network, which ensures professional collection care and curatorial standards.

When is the best time to visit?

Since the exhibits are indoor, the museum is a solid option regardless of season — useful both in summer, when Premià de Mar draws beach visitors, and outside the high season. It's worth checking current opening hours on the official website before heading over, as the schedule can shift with the season and public holidays.

Travelers spending more time on the Maresme coast can pair the museum with a stroll along Premià de Mar's seafront promenade or a visit to neighboring coastal towns, all connected by the same rail line.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this really the only museum of its kind in Spain? Yes, it's the sole institution in the country focused exclusively on the history and technique of textile printing.

How long does a visit take? A standard visit through the permanent exhibition usually takes about an hour, longer if a workshop session is included.

Is the building itself historically significant? Yes, the museum is housed in a restored 1884 gasworks building that was adapted for museum use.

How do you reach it from Barcelona without a car? The easiest way is the Rodalies regional train straight to Premià de Mar station, followed by a short walk to the museum.