The Museu de la Música de Barcelona (in English, Barcelona Music Museum) is a small, off-the-beaten-path museum that features an incredible collection of historic musical instruments. Sharing a building with a local music school, the Museu de la Música de Barcelona is especially renowned for its collection of classical guitars, which some observers consider to be among the best of its kind in the world. The museum also runs occasional special exhibits, and every visit here concludes with guests being given the chance to try their hands at a musical instrument or two.
History of Museu de la Música de Barcelona
The Museu de la Música de Barcelona is located in L’Auditori, a modern, 450,000-square-foot complex that also houses the headquarters of the Barcelona Symphony Orchestra and National Orchestra of Catalonia and the campus of Catalonia College of Music. It was designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Rafael Moneo, who was awarded the Venice Biennale of Architecture Golden Lion award in 2001, just two years after L’Auditori opened its doors to the public.
While a Museu de la Música de Barcelona has existed in one form or another throughout the city for decades, the current iteration has been located at L’Auditori since 2017. The Museu de la Música de Barcelona is conveniently situated between Parc de la Ciutadella—where you’ll find the Barcelona Zoo and Centre Martorell d’Exposicions—and Plaça de les Glòries Catalanes, which is home to Mirador Torre Glòries and Museu del Disseny.
Museu de la Música de Barcelona Highlights
The Museu de la Música de Barcelona possesses an impressive permanent collection of musical instruments. Most estimates put the number of musical instruments in the museum’s collection at approximately 2,000 pieces, and visitors can expect to see about 500 of these instruments on display throughout a series of temporary exhibits and permanent galleries. The presentation of the instruments is augmented by informative panels and audiovisual displays.
The Museu de la Música de Barcelona features instruments collected from nearly every corner of the world, as well as instruments that span the centuries from the Middle Ages to the present day. Particular highlights of the Museu de la Música de Barcelona permanent collection include guitars made by Antonio de Torres, a Pérez-Molero organ, Zell harpsichord, and seventeenth-century Hauslaib claviorganum.
For many people, the biggest thrill of their visit comes after they’ve explored the museum’s various exhibits and galleries. That’s because your self-guided tour of Museu de la Música de Barcelona concludes with the hands-on opportunity to actually play several different kinds of musical instruments!
More to See and Do at Museu de la Música de Barcelona
As you prepare to visit the Museu de la Música de Barcelona, here are a few more things to keep in mind.
*Be sure and bring your own headphones or earbuds to the Museu de la Música de Barcelona, as the attraction provides all visitors with a complimentary audio guide. Listening to the audio guide as you move through the museum is a fantastic way to get even more out of your visit here.
*Guided group tours of the Museu de la Música de Barcelona are available; however, you’ll have to contact the attraction directly in advance of your visit to try and make arrangements if you’re hoping to go on that type of outing.
*The Museu de la Música de Barcelona stages special events, workshops, and recitals on a regular basis throughout the year. For the latest information regarding what sort of activities might be scheduled to take place when you plan to visit, you’ll want to check out the museum’s calendar of events ahead of time.
*Given its location on the campus of a music school, the Museu de la Música de Barcelona frequently hosts live music concerts, too. If you’ve got some flexibility in your schedule, catching a show here could make for a special memory.
Why Museu de la Música de Barcelona Should Be on Your Must-See List
Simply put, anyone with a love for music and an interest in musical instruments will enjoy their time at Barcelona’s Museu de la Música. In particular, if you play or appreciate guitars, you’re liable to be blown away by the museum’s collection of classical guitars. The Museu de la Música de Barcelona may not be for everyone, but if you’re a music fan with a taste for hidden-gem attractions that are off the beaten path, you’ll definitely be glad you made time for this unique destination.
