Casa Padellàs (Barcelona History Museum MUHBA)

Interesting facts

1. 1

   The mansion was moved block by block during the opening of Via Laietana to prevent its demolition.

2. 2

   The archaeological sub-floor reveals a former Roman wine-making facility with large vats.

3. 3

   Excavations in the 1930s accidentally revealed the Roman ruins while preparing the foundation for the building's relocation.

4. 4

   The Saló del Tinell, accessed via the museum, is a 14th-century throne room where Christopher Columbus allegedly met the Catholic Monarchs.

5. 5

   The site includes a complex system of Roman-era public laundries (fullonicae) used for dyeing and cleaning textiles.

6. 6

   The building's relocation was part of an early 20th-century effort to revitalize the Gothic Quarter.

7. 7

   The remains of a 6th-century Christian baptistery are located directly beneath the modern museum entrance.

8. 8

   The complex houses a significant collection of medieval art and epigraphy salvaged from various parts of the city.

Overview

Casa Padellàs serves as the primary entrance to the MUHBA (Barcelona History Museum), housing a significant portion of the city's archaeological heritage. The building itself is a 15th-century Gothic mansion that was relocated stone-by-stone from its original location on Carrer de Mercaders to the Plaça del Rei in 1931. Beneath the mansion lies the entrance to 4,000 square meters of subterranean Roman ruins, known as the Barcino excavations. Visitors can walk through preserved streets, laundries, and workshops dating back to the Roman city of the 1st to 7th centuries AD. The museum preserves remnants of early Christian architectural sites, including an episcopal complex and a baptistery. The structure also features an internal courtyard typical of late-medieval Catalan civil architecture. Permanent exhibitions within the upper floors detail the urban evolution of Barcelona from its founding to the modern era. The museum complex integrates the Royal Palace, the Chapel of Saint Agatha, and the Saló del Tinell.

Insider tips

• Visit the underground ruins first, as they are the most extensive part of the experience.

• Wear comfortable walking shoes with good grip, as the underground Roman stone paths are uneven.

• Check the official website for free entry days, which often occur on Sunday afternoons.