MUSEO MARITIM, Museo Maritim

This beautiful nautical exhibition has been set up in ancient arsenals that were founded at the end of the 1200s on ships called "galere", which were at the service of the crown.

In the 1800s, the arsenals were used for military exercises and to make weapons. But in 1941 civilian authorities took the sites back and founded a naval museum.

Your visit begins in the garden, where you can admire a wood submarine model created in 1859 by the inventor Narcis Monturiol i Estarriol, who invested all of his savings in it and ended up in ruins. Before entering, admire the wonderful structure of the former shipyards, with their large Gothic-style bays.

The museum offers a collection of scale models, from the early steamers to the great ocean liners. But in addition to reproductions, you'll see real boats of great historical value, both original or reduced in scale.

The museum's "star" is the full-sized copy of the vessel with which Admiral Don Juan of Austria, the half-brother of King Philip II, defeated the Turks at the famous battle of Lepanto in 1571. Entering the vessel, you can get an idea of the living conditions on a ship in those times, which was especially hard for the crew: just think that the rowers, who were mostly prisoners and slaves, could even be chained to their spot for the duration of the trip. It's said that the odor coming out of these galleons could be smelled from miles away!

After you've visited the museum, go to the quay near the Rambla del Mar to see the floating part of the museum, especially the schooner Santa Eulàlia, a beautiful sailing ship dating back to 1918 that you can see up-close by presenting your entrance ticket.

FUN FACT: if you're in Barcelona in the first few days of the year, don't miss the January 5th ceremony, where the Magi come out from the sea on Santa Eulàlia, bringing gifts to children!