The Museu Egipci de Barcelona (in English, Egyptian Museum of Barcelona) is a small museum of ancient Egyptian artifacts located approximately one mile north of La Rambla, near some of Barcelona’s most popular attractions (including two of Antoni Gaudí’s greatest creations). The ancient Egyptian artifacts on display here were acquired over the decades by avid collector Jordi Clos. The Museu Egipci de Barcelona features all types of jewelry, tableware, funeral relics, statues, sarcophagi, and Pharaoh possessions, as well as a pleasant gift shop.
History of Museu Egipci de Barcelona
The Museu Egipci de Barcelona is operated by the Fundación Arqueológica Clos, a private, non-profit organization established in 1992 by Jordi Clos Llombart. Clos, a successful local entrepreneur who made his fortune in the hotels business, is renowned as one of Europe’s most passionate collectors of ancient Egyptian artifacts. By the early 1990s, Clos’ personal collection had grown so large that he began showing it publicly, first at his hotel properties and then as part of various traveling exhibitions.
In 1994, Clos (through his Fundación Arqueológica Clos) opened the Museu Egipci de Barcelona so that the people of Barcelona (and visitors from across the world) would have a place to go and enjoy his expansive collection on a regular basis. Today, the Museu Egipci de Barcelona’s permanent collection contains thousands of ancient Egyptian artifacts spanning several thousand years of ancient Egyptian history.
Museu Egipci de Barcelona Highlights
The acclaimed permanent collection of the Museu Egipci de Barcelona is spread out across two artifact-packed floors. On the ground floor (labeled here as “Floor 0”) you’ll find a fantastic selection of jewelry, including rings, amulets, and collars made of gold and adorned with all types of precious stones; tableware, most of which was handcrafted from a combination of mud, metal, and stone; and various items believed to have belonged to several different Pharaohs and their family members.
On the next floor (“Floor 1”) you’ll come face to face with relics that were used in all types of Egyptian ceremonies and rituals. A room devoted to funerary beliefs and practices is full of mummies, canopic jars, and statues of Osiris, while the room containing examples of ancient Egyptian sarcophagi, funeral masks, and funerary models is arguably one of the biggest highlights of the entire facility.
In addition to its impressive permanent collection, the Museu Egipci de Barcelona on occasion stages temporary exhibitions. Past shows of note organized at the Museu Egipci de Barcelona include Sacred Animals of Ancient Egypt, which highlighted how depictions of animals appeared throughout Egyptian artifacts, hieroglyphics, and more; and Passion for Egypt: 200 Years of Collecting at the Museu Egipci de Barcelona, an exhibition that paid tribute to the 25thanniversary of the Fundación Arqueológica Clos.
More to See and Do at Museu Egipci de Barcelona
Keep reading below for a few more things of note about the Museu Egipci de Barcelona.
*As you plan your upcoming visit to the Museu Egipci de Barcelona, be sure and pay close attention to the attraction’s hours of operation. While the museum’s schedule is subject to change at any time, the site typically closes for a couple hours in the middle of the day. For instance, on Mondays through Fridays the museum is currently open between 10:00am and 2:00pm, then again between 4:00pm and 7:30pm.
*Visitors wanting to get even more out of their visit to the Museu Egipci de Barcelona should download the attraction’s app straight to their phones. This free app is a handy way to access helpful materials about the museum and its collection. A digital copy of the museum’s brochure can also be downloaded to your personal device, too.
*The Museu Egipci de Barcelona shop sells a fabulous assortment of ancient Egyptian-themed items. The shop carries a wonderful selection of books on various topics related to ancient Egypt, while the kids’ section of the store has toys, souvenirs, and accessories. You’ll also find jewelry, homeware, and reproductions of Egyptian art and artifacts.
*If you’re a big fan of all things ancient Egyptian and you’ve got some flexibility in your schedule, consider taking the time to attend one of the museum’s special events. For more information on what might be taking place during the time period you’ll be visiting, check out the “Activities” webpage of the museum’s official website.
*Free guided tours of the Museu Egipci de Barcelona are available to the public every Saturday afternoon. At the present moment, these free guided tours are only being offered in Catalan and Spanish, but be sure and visit the museum’s official website for all the latest information.
Why Museu Egipci de Barcelona Should Be on Your Must-See List
Of course, any Barcelona visitors with a passion for the art, artifacts, and history of ancient Egypt should build time into their itinerary to experience the Museu Egipci de Barcelona firsthand. However, even if you’re not the type of traveler who seeks out an Egyptian Museum in every city you visit, the Museu Egipci de Barcelona can still be a worthwhile stop—especially if you’re a family in Barcelona with kids. Factor in the Museu Egipci de Barcelona’s prominent location halfway between La Pedrera and Casa Batlló, and you’ve got the makings of a must-see destination.