Opened in 2011, the Museu Blau takes visitors on a fascinating journey from the creation of the world to life on earth today.
It is housed in a unique building designed by architects Herzog & de Meuron.
The Museu Blau is located in the Parc del Fòrum, in Barcelona's new Diagonal district.
Numerous exhibitions explain the evolution of our planet.
Let's take a closer look at the museum.
Museu Blau: article summary
Exploring life on Earth at the Museu Blau
It all begins with the big bang. On a large screen, visitors can follow the birth of the universe, the evolution of the earth and the future of continents and oceans. As soon as you arrive, you'll enjoy a short film explaining the results of research by scientists such as Copernicus and Darwin.
Then comes the tour proper, which leads through a kind of time tunnel. Thanks to the subdued lighting and isolated acoustics, you really get the feeling of being immersed in the past. Rocks and fossils dating back millions of years make the wonders of the world tangible. For each important period in the Earth's development, you can use touch screens to learn more about the different elements that take place here.
Discover the flora and fauna
The following section shows our current flora and fauna over more than 4,500 exhibitions from tiny microbes to proud lions, minerals and plants. In the middle, there are also small learning islands on different subjects. In one of them on the theme of evolution is a replica of our ancestor: Lucy. You can see the well-known skeleton of a prehuman "Australopithecus afarensis", found in 1974, in Ethiopia. It is dated about 3.2 million years old.
Further on, you'll discover studies on the climatic conditions of the Mediterranean, where Barcelona is located. It's all very exciting and family-friendly. The exhibition also illustrates our responsibility for the environment and nature.
Enjoy the Parc del Fòrum
After the tour, it's well worth explore the Parc del Fòrum. The former industrial zone is now a large events area, including a complete family trail. What's more, it's only a few steps to the beach promenade. You can then walk along the waterfront to the very center of Barcelona.
The walk to the center is just 4 km. There are restaurants and bars along the way where you can eat and drink.
A brief history of the Museu Blau
In 1878, naturalist Francesc Martorell i Peña left his vast collection of exhibits to the city, laying the foundation stone for Barcelona's Association of Natural Science Museums. Today, this collection boasts over 3 million artifacts. The Museu Blau also belongs to the Association of Botanical Gardens on the Mountain. Montjuïc as well as the Matorell Museum and the Laboratori de Natura in the Ciutadella park.
The impressive Museu Blau building was constructed in 2004 by architects Herzog & de Meuron. Because of its proximity to the sea, and as an allusion to the Earth as a "blue planet", it was deliberately clad entirely in blue. Several mirrored atriums offer a play of colors. constantly changing according to the amount of sunshine.
Why visit the Museu Blau?
Inside, the museum immerses visitors in the fascinating story of the earth's evolution. It illustrates the richness of nature with its many impressive exhibits, prepared in an informative way for the whole family.
On this exciting tour, you'll learn about the diversity of life on our planet. In this way, the exhibition also enhances our appreciation of the world's greatest wonder: the world itself.
What are the opening hours?
Access to the Museu Blau varies from period to period.
From March to September, the museum is open:
- Tuesday to Saturday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Sundays and public holidays 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
From October to February, you can visit:
- Tuesday to Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Saturday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Sundays and public holidays 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
The Museu Blau closes on Mondays, January 1ᵉʳ, May 1ᵉʳ, June 24 and December 25.
The Museu Blau is an interesting place to visit if you have children, or if you want to visit Barcelona as a family. You'll learn a lot on the spot and you're bound to discover something new.
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