Barcelona is a fantastic place to visit for the beaches, sunshine, warm weather, culture, and art. As the capital of Spain, it is an important place with a history dating back to the Middle Ages when it was a Roman city. Even back then it held the beauty of the sea and the Serra de Collserola Mountains.
But those of you who want to learn more about the city will not be disappointed because there are more than 50 museums covering the history of art, nature, science, maritime, war, and architecture. Once you secure your suitcases or other large items at a Barcelona suitcase storage locker, you can go museum hopping.
Sagrada Familia
Also known as the Basilica of the Sagrada Family, this is the most popular attraction in Barcelona and one of the most popular in Spain. In fact, it is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Consecrated as a minor basilica by Pope Benedict XVI in 2010, construction started in 1882 and is still unfinished.
It was designed and started by famous Spanish architect, Antoni Gaudi who took over for Francisco de Paula Villar when he resigned in 1883. He devoted his life to it, and he is buried in a crypt there. The building is an Art Nouveau and Gothic style with a stunning nativity façade unlike anything else in the world.
There were supposed to be 18 spires to represent the 12 Apostles, four Evangelists, the Virgin Mary, and Jesus Christ. The tower of the Virgin Mary was just finished in 2022. See the nativity, museum, crypt, and nave while you are there.
Museum of the History of Barcelona
The Museum of the History of Barcelona is another one of the top attractions in the city. Located in the Gothic Quarter at del Rei Plaza, the museum also features 15 archaeological sites. Many of them have the remains of the ancient Roman city with some dating back to medieval times.
The museum is a treasure itself, made of a gothic palace Casa Padellàs from the 1400s, carefully moved stone by stone from its first location to its current spot. While they were moving it, they found the remains of the ancient city of Barcino (Barcelona), which is the main exhibit in the history museum.
Inside, you will see what is left of shops, a winery, a salted fish shop, several factories, walls, and streets. Other fascinating findings you can see include a cross-shaped church, baptistery, and bishop’s palace. The ceremonial hall, the palatine chapel of St. Agatha from the 1300s is also on display with its original altar.
Maritime Museum of Barcelona
Be sure to stop at the Maritime Museum of Barcelona to learn all about shipbuilding from the 13th century to the 18th century. The museum can be found in the Royal Arsenal of Barcelona shipyards of Drassane by Port Vell with a huge collection of yachts, boats, ships, and sailing vessels dating back to 1243.
Part of the collection is from the Drassanes when military and merchant ships were made and stored in the shipyards over 2,000 years old. One of the ships, the Admirals of Juan de Austria from the 1571 Battle of Lepanto is on display and you can see where 236 people rowed the boat using 59 oars.
Besides that famous rowboat, you can also see racing boats, submarines, and fishing boats as well as models of those ships that are no longer around. In addition, the collection of nautical instruments is impressive dating back to the 1700s. There is even a collection of figureheads who led the ships.
