Museu Frederic Marès

Overview

The Museu Frederic Marès is an eclectic museum in the heart of the Gothic Quarter, built around the personal collection of sculptor Frederic Marès (1893–1991). It houses an extraordinary range of objects from medieval sculpture to 19th-century everyday items.

Highlights

• Collector's Cabinet: The upper floors contain the "Sentimental Museum" — rooms packed with fans, pipes, toys, clocks, photographs, and other curiosities from daily life across centuries.
• Medieval sculpture: One of Spain's finest collections of Romanesque and Gothic polychrome wood sculpture.
• Courtyard café: A peaceful orange-tree courtyard with a café, hidden from the bustle of the Cathedral plaza.

History

Frederic Marès donated his vast personal collection to the city in 1946. The museum occupies part of the former Royal Palace of the Counts of Barcelona, dating back to the 12th century.

Visitor Tips

• Free entry: Sundays after 3 pm and the first Sunday of each month.
• Hidden gem: Often overlooked by tourists despite being steps from the Cathedral.
• Duration: 45–90 minutes.