The museum building, the Herrerías, was constructed between 1765 and 1785 to serve as a rigging and rope factory for the Spanish Navy.
It is the largest exhibition space in Europe dedicated to naval construction and maritime history.
The interior spans thousands of square meters, reflecting the industrial scale required for historical naval rope manufacturing.
The collection features original heavy machinery used for spinning hemp into rope for 18th-century warships.
The exhibits include a detailed section on the evolution of steel shipbuilding and the specific industrial history of the Ferrol estuary.
The building's architecture is a prime example of the 18th-century naval rationalism associated with the Bourbon reform era.
The Naval Construction Museum, known locally as Exponav, is housed within the historic Edificio Herrerías, a 18th-century naval structure in Ferrol. The facility documents the history of naval engineering and shipbuilding technology in Spain. It occupies a massive building that originally served as the rope-making workshop for the Royal Shipyard. Visitors explore diverse exhibits ranging from traditional wooden boat construction to modern marine engineering. The collection includes detailed scale models, historic navigational tools, and machinery used in the naval industrial process. It provides technical insight into the evolution of naval architecture from the Enlightenment era to the current day. The museum stands as the largest of its kind in Europe dedicated specifically to naval construction.
The central nave of the building, which perfectly captures the grand scale of the original rope-making facility.
Combine your visit with the nearby Naval Museum of Ferrol for a comprehensive maritime experience.
The building is climate-controlled but large, so wear comfortable shoes for extensive walking.
Check the official website for rotating temporary exhibitions that focus on local Galician maritime heritage.
Do not attempt to enter the active military arsenal areas surrounding the building without explicit authorization.
Closed on Mondays.
Maintain a quiet volume and avoid touching scale models or delicate historic machinery.
