The Museu Diocesà de Barcelona

Between the 19th and 20th centuries, the first Spanish diocesan museums were born in Catalonia, with the mission of preserving the tangible and intangible value of all those objects that were in the parishes of the diocese and were no longer used for worship. On the 22nd October 1916, the Barcelona Diocesan Museum was opened on the ground floor of the Conciliar Seminary. Its first director, Rev. Fr. Manuel Trens Ribes, was one of the most influential ecclesiastics of his time. He soon began to think about moving the museum to the Casa de l’Almoina, a transfer that for several reasons did not take effect until 1989, under the direction of Rev. Fr. Josep M. Martí i Bonet. Then, the building was restored, and the Diocesan Museum of Barcelona opened its doors at the Casa de l’Almoina with the exhibition “Millenum. Història i art de l’Església catalana”.

The Casa de la Pia Almoina

The Casa de l’Almoina sheltered a charitable institution present in many bishoprics in medieval times. In Barcelona, it was founded in 1009, near the current Cathedral chapel of Santa Llúcia. It achieved great popularity and continued to expand its charitable action to the needy, the sick, and even came to provide financial support to students. Its prestige and splendour was at its peak in the 15th century, and a new building was built exclusively for this institution, the “House of Alms”, where 288 poor people had lunch every day. In the 16th century, the building was expanded with a new body in Renaissance style, joined to the original by a fragment of the late Roman wall. Due to the crises that the city suffered during the 17th and 18th centuries, the institution fell into decay, and it disappeared in the 19th century with the confiscation of assets.

Museum Café

A cozy and quiet space, where you can enjoy a moment of rest with friends or family.

Open every day from 9:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Access through the main entrance (Av. de la Catedral).

Open to everyone. We will wait for you!

News

Events

Timetables

Open every day from 9:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Entry up to 30 minutes before closing.
Rooms vacated 15 minutes before closing time.

Closed on January 1st and December 25th

Prices

General admission €8

Reduced entry for groups €6

Over 9 people.

Reduced entry €6

Accredited students under 25, large family or single parent card, pink or gold card.

Free entry

Under 12, people with disabilities, group companions, with the Barcelona Episcopal Public Library card and accredited members of the Antoni Gaudí Faculty

Cathedral combined ticket €15