The remodelling plan will require us to close the museum from October 2009 until the second quarter of 2011

Gaze at a medieval doorway, or perhaps other distinct Spanish sculptural pieces by sculptor extraordinaire Frederic Marès. Sheltering men and women of religion at different eras, this museum is one intimate look at Romanesque and Gothic religious art.

The Museu Frederic Marès was once part of the Royal Palace complex and was home to 13th-century bishops, 14th-century Counts of Barcelona, 15th-century judges, and 18th-century nuns. Years after the church folk were expelled from this building, sculptor Frederic Marès owned a small room in this building, and he eventually turned Casa de l'Ardiaca into a museum in 1948. The collection found inside attests to the eclectic taste of Marès, who is also an avid art collector and extensive traveler. The crypt, for instance, houses two complete Romanesque portals and several stone sculptures. On the other hand, exhibits spanning all the way up to the third floor showcase a jumble of antique objects like pipes, clocks, and crucifixes, all of which are important memorabilia to a distant yet glaring past.

By metro: L3 (Catalunya, Liceu), L4 (Jaume I) & L1 (Catalunya)

Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday

Tue-Sat 10am-7pm, Sun 10am-3pm