CosmoCaixa is a museum dedicated to raising young people's awareness of the scientific issues affecting our environment.
Its centerpiece is a ten-acre reproduction of the Amazon Rainforest.
Active since 2004, the museum is one of social and cultural works developed by La Caixa!
A funny name: what's La Caixa?
La Caixa is pronounced Kaïcha! And yes, the Catalan "x" is pronounced "ch"!
La Caixa is the name of the Barcelona Savings and Pension Fund (Fundació Bancaria Caixa d'Estalvis i Pensions de Barcelona). La Caixa includes banking activities under the name of CaixaBank but its profits are reinvested in charitable causes.
The main exhibition, the "Universo" room
This room explores all the dimensions of our universe: the theory of evolution, the cosmos, fossils and the great scientific rules that made up our universe.
Big Bang, quantum physics, man's impact on the planet, the world's languages and their history, writing, artificial intelligence...
All these themes are covered and developed in more than 3500 square meters.
Also available a mathematics laboratory where all the tools needed to understand mathematics are made available to the very young.
In the room entitled El bosque inundado" you can discover a fragment of this fragile ecosystem, now in serious danger of deforestation. Forest amazonienne and where more than 50% of our planet's biodiversity.
And, last but not least, the geological wall which will give you an overview of the major geological discoveries that have shaped our environment.
Temporary exhibitions
In parallel with these grand halls and its Amazon rainforest, the CosmoCaixa organizes temporary exhibitions. The current exhibition, which runs until January 26, 2020, explores the theme of mirrors and their variations, such as caléïdoscopes, reflectors... with the main question to reflect on the true or false reality of the mirror...
Didactic activities and workshops...
CosmoCaixa attaches great importance to the didactic aspect, and offers a wide range of workshops for the very young, as well as for more experienced visitors.
Visit conferences are also very interesting, as they invite specialists to explain the major issues of the modern world.
In addition guided tours will also help you learn and understand more...
We also note Thursday evenings dedicated to science fiction, with film screenings.
Education for all at the heart of the project
According to its articles of association, La Caixa aims to offer cultural activities for all publics, including people with reduced mobility.
And as part of this, the space is accessible to wheelchair users, the blind and visually impaired, the hearing impaired and the mentally handicapped.
Also, Guided tours are specially designed for a wide range of audiences.
Tactile-oriented, even in sign language.
Practical info
CosmoCaixa is open every day, from 10am to 8pm, with special opening times on public holidays.
Be sure to check the website for opening dates...
Addressc. Isaac Newton, 2608022 Barcelona
Rates
Admission costs 5 euros, but it's free if you're a CaixaBank customer.
Adolescents up to the age of 16 pay no admission fee, and it is compulsory for those under 14 to be accompanied by an adult.
Where is CosmoCaixa?
In the Vallcarca district...
CosmoCaixa is relatively far from the historic center.
However, the Vallcarca district is just a metro ride away. in under 20 minutesi.e. 5 metro stops, from the nerve center of Plaça Catalunya.
Don't hesitate to buy a ten-trip ticketwhich you can share, as it will cost you less.
Your metro ticket is valid for metros, streetcars and buses, day and night.
Is this an interesting activity?
The CosmoCaixa is a great activity for children, and a great way to spend an afternoon learning about the world's major issues and challenges.
The only problem is that the explanations are not in French.
Mainly in Catalan and Spanish. It's a great opportunity to practice a foreign language, but also to use your knowledge to explain things to the kids!
What to do in the area
If you're heading to Vallcarca, you might as well take advantage of the opportunity to explore the nearby monuments.
First of all, you're very close to the Park Güell, the English-style park designed by Gaudi for his patron Güell.
A wonderful walk through mosaics, squares and gardens, made famous by the film "L'Auberge Espagnole".
You are also very close to the Gràcia district, so lively with its terraces and entertainment!
Also, the Tibidabo, where you can enjoy a marvellous view of the whole of Barcelona from its heights, and visit the Temple.
Warning: not to be confused with CaixaForum!
Yes, there's the CosmoCaixa, but also the CaixaForum on the Plaça d'Espanya.
It's also a great place to visit if you like museums.
There is a wide variety of exhibitions: decorative arts, painting, archaeology... as well as activities for children, concerts, artistic conferences...
AddressAv. de Francesc Ferrer i Guàrdia, 6-8, 08038 Barcelona
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