A Guide to Maritime Museum Barcelona

The Galera Real from the 16th century is the site of core attraction. This 60- meters- long galley from Juan De Austria was involved in the battle of Lepanto in October 1571. About 500 meters from the museum buildings, the three-mast schooner Santa Eulàlia, is found. It was introduced in 1919 and it is known to be a typical merchant ship of that period.

Many times the original vessel of the ships do not exist. Since these ships have valuable information associated with them, models of these ships are built and exhibited to the tourists. These model ships were constructed with as much supervision and technology as the original ships built by Mediterraneans even with Barcelona’s naval supremacy over them.

The Maritime Museum serves the best collection of nautical instruments which are especially utilized for navigation. Most of the instruments belong to the era of the 18th to the 20th century. These nautical instruments showcase the advancement of the sextant, depth gauge and many other navigational tools.

The gallions were constructed from oak, pine, and various hardwoods for hull and decking. These are powered by wind entirely to make sure that ships sail safely through the ocean. The major part of the collection is from the 19th century’s Catalan sailing ships.

The construction of the royal shipyard commenced between 1280 and 1300. Earlier, the shipyards used to be a walled structures lacking a roof. The complete shipyard halls with roofs were built in 1381. Due to lack of money, large crop failures, and a huge population smashed by the plague, the construction was delayed.

The term desire is connected with the sexual pleasures of life. This exhibition aims to outshow the LGBTIQ glimpse from maritime heritage. The exhibition portrays the erotic emotions that sparked amongst men of that period who spent months and years sailing, without the presence of women. By exhibiting the erotic, sexual, and emotional desires of the sailing men, the exhibition aims at amplifying the queer voice and promote gender inclusivity.

After the struggle of three centuries, Catalonia became the strongest industrial power in southern Europe in the 19th century. This exhibition depicts the transformation of Catalonia from a small and lesser-known country to an emerging industrial influence. It highlights how trade and shipbuilding became powerful hands of the country to bring out the transformation which completely changed people's relationship with the sea.

The Maritime Museum has a diverse collection of boats such as working boats linked with the world of fishing ( i.e sardine and trawl line boats). The collection includes the trawler República, the dinghy, the Snipe Toñete, and the patì De vela among other important ships. A huge number of overseas’ boats such as kayaks and other flat bottom shapes are also included in the collection.

Shipyards and galleys are important pillars to get an understanding of how Barcelona accomplished dominance in the Mediterranean. The historical representation of the exhibition begins from the time of King pere Il "El Gran" (the Great) who returned to Barcelona after a voyage through the Mediterranean. This exhibition includes unique points from which to view the galley and the Roman mausoleum. It also includes items from the museum collections such as scale models of the building, models of galleys as well as audiovisual.

The seven vessels at the museum portray seven different stories from people of different centuries who recite their incredible seagoing adventures. All these include The Santa Maria da le Victoria, the transatlantic liner the royal Edward, the mixed vessel the city of Paris, the container ship polar, and 80- cannon warship, and the xebec Santa Cristina.