Museu Blau: Barcelona’s Natural Science Museum

Geared towards anyone who is interested in nature and science, as well as families, the museum known as ‘Museu Blau’ (‘Blue Museum’ in English) forms part of the Barcelona’s Natural Science Museum, to which the Botanical Gardens, the Nature Laboratory (Laboratori de Natura) and the Museu Martorell also belong.

All the information to visit the Museu Blau de Barcelona

Opened in 2011, the Museu Blau is housed in the Fòrum building, which was the host venue for the ‘Fòrum Universal de les Cultures’ that took place in 2004 in Barcelona. Thanks to the huge 9000m2 area that it occupies over two floors, it’s the ideal home for the magnificent collection that it houses.

Museu Blau Permanent collection

The main permanent exhibition, ‘Planeta Vida’ (Planet Life), focuses on the Gaia theory of evolution, and in it the visitor can see how the Earth was formed, then following its evolution until the present day.

Another of the permanent collections is that of ‘La Terra Avui’ (The Earth today), in which around 4,500 objects from the 3 million owned by the Museu Blau are exhibited, highlights of which include dissected animals, from the smallest of insects to the largest of mammals.

These items, which are kept in glass display cabinets, are always favourites with children and the not-so-young alike. The exhibitions ‘Biografía de la Tierra’ (The Earth’s Biography) and ‘Laboratoris de la Vida’ (Laboratories of Life), as well as the ‘Niu de la Ciència’ (Science Nest) space, which is aimed at children between the ages of 0 and 6, complete the museum’s permanent collection.

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In spite of everything we’ve already told you about, without doubt the real icon of the Museu Blau is something we haven’t yet mentioned. It’s the skeleton of a whale that’s 20 metres long, and that hangs from the ceiling of the hallway. It’s a wonderful surprise for most people, and especially for children who are blown away by the sight. This whale was washed up on the beach at Llança, on the Costa Brava, in 1862.

Temporary exhibitions, children’s activities and much more

The Museu Blau is a very proactive museum when it comes to programming temporary exhibitions and children’s activities. These activities for the youngest visitors are usually linked with the running of workshops, in which the children are given the opportunity to learn more about science and nature, whilst having fun at the same time.

We should also point out that the museum has other facilities such as the audio-visual space, a function room that’s used for various conferences and presentations and of course the souvenir shop that’s typical of the ones you’ll find in similar museums, in which you’ll find a wide range of products related to nature and science, the majority of which are aimed at the youngest visitors.

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Where is the Museu Blau? Map and how to get there

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