Museu Monestir de Pedralbes, Barcelona

The Museu Monestir de Pedralbes is a museum of history and a monumental medieval complex in Barcelona.

The museum is housed in the historical Royal Monastery of St Mary of Pedralbes, an exceptionally well-preserved example of Catalan Gothic architecture located in the northern part of Barcelona.
The monastery was founded by Elisenda de Montcada, queen consort of Aragon, in 1327 in order to accommodate a group of nuns of the Poor Clare Order.

In the architectural complex, the cloister, the church, the St. Michael’s chapel with its 14th-century mural paintings by Catalan artist Ferrer Bassa, the old kitchen rooms, and the dormitory, now converted into an exhibition space, are open to the public.

The collection of the Pedralbes Monastery Museum consists of artworks – mostly sculptures, paintings, and altarpieces dating from the 14th century to the 20th century, objects of applied arts – such as silvers, pottery, and reliquaries -,  illuminated manuscripts, and a number of everyday objects once used by those living in the monastery, including pieces of furniture.

The program of activities of the museum includes special exhibitions, guided tours, educational activities, workshops, conferences, and seminars.

Museu Monestir de Pedralbes, the cloister. Photos Inexhibit

Museu Monestir de Pedralbes, the main gallery. Photo by Inexhibit, 2006

Museu Monestir de Pedralbes, the main gallery. Photos by Nitachem (up) and Inexhibit.

The old kitchen. Photo Inexhibit

Cover image: the 14th-century cloister of the Pedralbes Monastery in Barcelona. Photo Pere Vivas, courtesy of Reial Monestir de Santa Maria de Pedralbes / Ajuntament de Barcelona