Museu Frederic Marès
About This Museum
Tucked away in the shadow of Barcelona Cathedral, the Museu Frederic Marès is a wonderfully eccentric treasure trove that feels more like a cabinet of curiosities than a formal museum. It’s the life's work of sculptor and obsessive collector Frederic Marès, whose passion for everything from medieval religious art to 19th-century pipes fills a former royal palace. You'll find room after room of his personal acquisitions, creating an intimate and slightly overwhelming journey through time. The experience culminates in a serene courtyard café, a perfect spot to decompress after such a dense and fascinating visit.
Collection Highlights
The heart of the museum is its profound collection of medieval Spanish sculpture, particularly haunting polychrome wood carvings of the Virgin Mary and Christ. Beyond that, Marès's 'Collector's Cabinet' astounds with its vast array of everyday objects—from delicate fans and vintage photographs to intricate tobacco pipes and toy trains.
Visitor Information
It's located right in the heart of the Gothic Quarter, just off Plaça Sant Iu, making it an easy and rewarding detour from the more crowded cathedral next door. Don't miss the chance to have a coffee in its hidden courtyard; it’s one of Barcelona's most peaceful central oases.
Architecture & Building
Housed within a grand amalgamation of historic buildings, including parts of the former Royal Palace of the Counts of Barcelona, its stone walls and vaulted ceilings provide a suitably atmospheric home for the collections.
Contact & Location
Address: Museu Frederic Marès, 5, Plaça de Sant Iu, el Gòtic, Ciutat Vella, Barcelona, Barcelonès, Barcelona, Catalunya, 08002, España
Phone: +34 932 56 35 00
Website: Visit Website
