Housed in the tremendous Palau de Mar from the 1890s it gives a sweeping fascinating history of the eventful region. Beginning in the far distant Neolithic era with cave paintings and stone and bone tools, it progresses through the millennia to the contemporary. With artefacts, models, dioramas and copious legends, an absorbing journey through the civilisations takes place. The ebb and flow of economic wealth is covered. From empires across the sea to industrialisation and the key powerhouse of textiles in more recent centuries, all is conveyed engagingly. Origins of the Catalonian Coat of Arms are speculated upon. One such concerns Guifre el Pelos dating from the 16th century. It goes that the French King dipped his fingers in Guifre’s blood and moved his fingers down the golden shield, thus creating four bars. Twentieth century turbulence and conflicts are shown. Through the terrible years of the Civil War and subsequent repression till the mid 1970s.

Great museum in a really nice location of Barcelona. We stumbled across this on our afternoon walk from our hop on hop off bus and with our discount from the tour bus it was only 4.80 euros per person. It has amazing displays in multiple languages and was accessible to all! It was surprisingly quiet which was very pleasant and there were so many different things to look at

Staff really friendly and helpful. €6 to get in. Bargain. Nice and warm. Two levels when we visited. From prehistoric artefacts through eventually to modern times. Covered the history of the Catalan region as you'd expect but like some others who commented, did feel the effects of the brutal civil war were a little played down. Finished by having a drink in the rooftop restaurant. Again, the staff were so friendly and made us feel very welcome. Drinks overlooking the yachts in the harbour. Delightful. Displays had English explanations but the individual displays did not. Easy enough to follow what it was all about though. Great staff. Lovely building. Well planned display. Great bar up top.