Three Museum Tourists Overlook: 1
In hordes, visitors to Barcelona line up at the Picasso Museum, the MNAC and Gaudì’s Pedrera. There’s a good reason for this, as these are some of the city’s finest museums. I do recommend every one of them. However, if you show up at the Museo Picasso and the line curves around the block promising an hour and a half wait, maybe you’d be better off checking out a lesser-known Barcelona museum? Here’s where to go if you don’t like Disneyland-lines:
No. 1: Museu Marítim
This beachside museum is dedicated to all things sea-related in Catalonia. Barcelona is on the coast, and therefore has strong cultural ties to the water. In the museum you’ll find boats of all shapes and sizes from different historical eras of sea navigation in Catalonia, plus ancient fishing gear and information about the evolution of the area’s lighthouses. One of my favorite ships on display is the decedent Royal Galley, a heavily decorated, red and golden ship used in the past for Spanish royalty.
Another interesting perk is the museum’s figurehead collection. These are the sculptures that would have graced the very front tip of a ship, most commonly rendering the bust of a woman. At the museum you’ll find figureheads such as Ninot (a male doll), Negre de Riba (the black man from Riba), and in contrast Blanca Aurora (White Aurora). Most of these figureheads are from the 1900’s. There’s also a library on site with many manuscripts in Catalan and Spanish about maritime subjects plus a collection of model ships.
While it’s easy to do, it should not be forgotten that Barcelona is on the sea. While I would skip the dip in the Mediterranean waters that flank the city (in a word, filthy), I’d recommend a look at the sea and its important role played in Barcelona at the Museu Marítim. After a visit to the museum head down the portside boardwalk and have lunch in Barceloneta with a view of today’s maritime culture; sailboats, yachts, and cruise ships.
ADDRESS
Av. de les Drassanes s/n
08001 Barcelona
Tel. 933 429 920 Fax 933 187 876
From Monday to Sunday: between 10:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. (ticket sales until 7 p.m.)