Plaça Pau Vila 3,
Barceloneta

A modern and vibrant museum that tells the story of Catalunya's roller-coaster history in a stimulating and enjoyably environment. Exhibits cover the periods of pre-history right up to the death of Franco and the nation's subsequent rebirth. Cafe-Restaurant available on the top floor.

Situated dangerously between Spain and France, 17th century Catalunya couldn’t help but become embroiled in disputes between the two nations. During the ‘Thirty Years War’ King Felipe IV of Spain forced the Catalans to raise an army to fight with them against the French. It was a quarrel the Catalans didn’t share, and subsequently large numbers of Spanish soldiers were billeted in farms and villages across the region, and a Viceroy was imposed on Barcelona.

The rural population, already living a frugal existence, were forced into deeper poverty by their unruly and uninvited guests. In June 1640 the community struck back in a rebellion known as ‘The Reaper’s War’ and murdered the Viceroy. Barcelona sided itself with France, only to be invaded by Felipe of Spain. The Treaty of the Pyrenees in 1659, an accord between the French and Spanish, ended the war but split Catalunya geographically between the two enemies.

The ‘Reapers Song’ still forms the basis for the Catalan National Anthem. You can learn more about this, and other Catalan uprisings, in this enjoyable museum.

contributor: Nigel Hayler