Historian and cultural promoter Ireneu Castillo has launched his latest book, ‘the most surprising museums of catalonia volume 1’. The work aims to underscore the importance of smaller museums as vital tools for narrating the lives of local communities.
The book showcases approximately thirty small and local museums found in and around Barcelona. Notable mentions include the Rock Museum Guitar Legends Hall, the Museu de l’Eròtica, the Museu de la Farmàcia Catalana, the Museu més Petit del Món, the Museu de la Xocolata, and the Museu de Carrosses Fúnebres.
Many of these museums owe their existence to “individual or collective patrons who have chosen to invest in a legacy that attracts people,” Castillo explains. He further notes that numerous museums are situated within genuine architectural gems, adding to their appeal. “A part of the added value of these museums is that they also preserve part of the architectural heritage of the city where they are located,” Castillo elaborates.
The book also discusses the locations of some of these museums, which are often found away from well-trodden paths. This can lead to lower visitor numbers, not due to a lack of interest but rather their relative obscurity. Special attention is given to the Museu d’Història de L’Hospitalet, which is divided into three sections around Calle Xipreret: Can Riera, Casa Espanya, and L’Harmonia. According to Castillo, the museum is situated “in a corner of time” and represents “a lesson in quiet persistence, while also being a piece that doesn’t quite fit in.”
