The Museu Marítim de Barcelona (MMB) is a cultural landmark that celebrates Catalonia’s maritime heritage. It is located within the magnificent Gothic edifice of the medieval Royal Shipyards (Drassanes Reials) in Barcelona’s Port Vell. This historic building was originally constructed between the 13th and 14th centuries as a royal arsenal and shipbuilding site for the Kingdom of Aragon. The MMB offers visitors an immersive experience that combines architectural grandeur with a rich collection showcasing centuries of seafaring tradition, naval innovation, and Catalonia’s long maritime history.
The Royal Shipyards
The Drassanes Reials (Royal Shipyards), built between 1283 and 1390 under Peter III of Aragon, served as a key medieval industrial complex for constructing war galleys that extended the Crown of Aragon’s influence. At its height, the Crown of Aragon was a powerful Mediterranean maritime empire controlling vast territories across the eastern Iberian Peninsula, the Balearic Islands, Sicily, Sardinia, southern Italy, and parts of Greece, dominating trade and naval power throughout the central Mediterranean.
The vast Gothic structure, with soaring stone arches and vaulted ceilings, is one of Europe’s best-preserved shipyards. First mentioned in 1243, it played a central role in Barcelona’s maritime power and later served as an arsenal and fortification. After extensive restoration, it reopened as a museum in 2014. The complex has been protected as a historic monument since 1929.
Collections and Exhibitions
The centerpiece of the museum is a full-scale replica of the Royal Galley, John of Austria’s flagship galley from the 1571 Battle of Lepanto, displayed in the vast shipyard hall. The museum’s extensive collections include historic ship models, navigational instruments, maritime art, and archaeological finds, alongside exhibits like the early submarine Ictíneo I and the vintage schooner Santa Eulàlia docked nearby. With thousands of artifacts and themed exhibitions covering centuries of seafaring, the museum vividly reflects Barcelona’s legacy as a dominant Mediterranean naval power.
Address: Av. de les Drassanes, s/n, 08001 Barcelona
Nearest Metro: Drassanes (L3)
Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday from 10am to 20pm (access until 19.30h)
Phone: 933 42 99 20
Website: www.mmb.cat
See also: Free Museum Days in Barcelona