Located in the old college of Sant Ignasi, the Museu de Manresa has been evolving and developing various cultural, heritage and social functions throughout its history. In each stage, the Museum has never lost its public character. Since its inauguration at the end of the 19th century, the institution that owns the equipment has been Manresa City Council, which has also taken over the management of the museum.
What we know today as the Museu de Manresa was officially inaugurated on September 1, 1896 under the name of “Museo Arqueológico, Biblioteca pública y exposición artística industrial permanente”.
The origin of this museum goes back to the “Retrospective Artistic Archaeological Exhibition” that took place in 1882 in the same building of the Consistorial House, where it was later established as the headquarters of the museum, an initiative promoted by a group of local scholars.
The initial purpose of the museum was to acquire and preserve archaeological and artistic assets as material witnesses of culture and the territorial environment and contribute to research and documentation for the cultural enrichment of the population and the protection of local heritage.
During its first years, the museum experienced growth linked to public works and the urban development of the city, while the new contributions of objects to the museum were made mainly through acquisitions by the City Council and donations from of individuals
We want to highlight that in these first years of archaeological activity, the connections with the archaeological section of the Institut d’Estudis Catalans. Especially, in the interventions of the C.E. Montserrat, the advisory collaboration with the Archaeological Museum of Barcelona will be maintained both during the Civil War, in the context of the Generalitat de Catalunya, and after the war, in the area of the Diputació de Barcelona.
During the start of the Civil War in 1936, Manresa’s archaeological funds, together with other artistic and documentary assets, were concentrated in a deposit created by the City Council in the requisitioned building of the Cova de Sant Ignasi. After the war, these funds were consolidated in the new Municipal Museum.
In 1941, the Municipal Museum reopened its doors in the new location of the Old College of Sant Ignasi. Administratively, the opening of the Museum was possible thanks to its bonds to the Archaeological Museum of Barcelona.
After the tumult of the war, the museum and its collections underwent significant changes. The original collections of the Excursionist Centres, such as that of the Comarca de Bages (established in 1905) and Montserrat (established in 1923), were integrated into the museum. To these funds were also added other artistic assets that were saved during the war, mainly from the churches of the city that were demolished during the conflicts, we highlight the collection of ceramics decorated in green and manganese from the century XIV, found in the vaults of the esglèsia del carme, which continues to be relevant today.
From 1968 the Museum was closed to the public and would not reopen until 1977, maintaining the same municipal ownership, but with a new name Museu Comarcal de Manresa.
After a period of closure, the Museu Comarcal de Manresa was inaugurated in 1977 with a renewed presentation of its collections. With a regional territorial scope, the museum stands out both for its collections and for the services it offers. With a multidisciplinary theme, the museum’s exhibitions focus on the art and history of Manresa, Bages and Catalonia.
The political transition generated a new context with significant transformations in the field of archaeology, both in the scientific discipline and the administrative management of archaeological assets. One of the most relevant consequences was the creation of the Archeology Service of the Generalitat de Catalunya. In addition, during this period, the Provincial Council transferred the Archaeological Museum of Barcelona to the Generalitat, thus altering the previous bonds with our Museum.
The Museu Comarcal de Manresa has been essential support for the archaeological excavation campaigns carried out by a group of young archaeologists since the 1980s. This group reviewed the old collections, resuming excavations such as those of Boades and initiating various actions with the support of the University and the Generalitat. Inventories were updated, monographs were written on local archaeological sites and periods, and the first comprehensive inventory of the county’s archaeological sites was prepared, which was updated in 1995.
In collaboration with the Territorial Services of Archeology of the Generalitat of Catalonia, the Museu Comarcal de Manresa, with the support of the Center d’Estudis del Bages and the Association for the MCM, organized the first Archeology Days of Central Catalonia in 2010. These biannual conferences, with a change of venue each year, marked a significant event in the presentation of the latest major archaeological activity in Manresa. In recent years, archaeological activity in the city has been promoted from the new cultural heritage area of the City Council.
After the retirement of the director of the Regional Museum of Manresa Mn. Gasol in 1990, the museum entered its last stage, which continues today. During this period, two key events took place: the creation of the position of director, occupied since then by Francesc Vilà, and the registration of the museum in the Registre de Museus de Catalunya managed by the Servei de Museus i Protecció de Béns Mobles of the Departament de Cultura of the Generalitat de Catalunya. Despite maintaining the previous exhibition line, the Museum has made significant efforts to modernize itself, both in terms of educational and cultural activities, as well as in the management and responsibilities related to the exhibitions and the maintenance of the collection.
The Museu de Manresa is part of the Xarxa de Museus d’Art and of the Xarxa de Museus Locals.
Through a global performance at the old Col·legi Sant Ignasi, the Museu de Manresa is undergoing a transformation to house the Museu del Barroc de Catalunya, an outstanding reference of Baroque art in the region. This project includes a comprehensive rehabilitation of the museum, with architectural and museum improvements, with the objective of hosting a valuable collection of pictorial and sculptural works from the Baroque period. In addition, this institution will also become the Pilgrims Reception Center. With the support of the Departament de Cultura of the Generalitat de Catalunya, this initiative is aligned with the 2017 Museums of Catalonia plan, which recognizes the importance of the museum’s baroque collection and gives it the role of national reference in this period artistic and cultural.
With this project, the Museu de Manresa is in line with the museum facilities of the 21st century.
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Plaça de Sant Ignasi 14-16 — 08241 Manresa – Barcelona — Tel. +34 93 874 11 55
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Plaça de Sant Ignasi 14-16, 08241 Manresa — Barcelona
+34 938 741 155
El Museu del Barroc de Catalunya està englobat dins l’espai del Museu de Manresa. Accedeix a la seva web des d’aquí:
El Museu del Barroc de Catalunya està englobat dins l’espai del Museu de Manresa. Accedeix a la seva web des d’aquí:
Plaça de Sant Ignasi 14-16
08241 Manresa — Barcelona
+34 938 741 155
Plaça de Sant Ignasi 14-16, 08241 Manresa — Barcelona
+34 938 741 155
The Museu del Barroc de Catalunya is part of the Museu de Manresa. Accedeix a la seva web des d’aquí:
The Museu del Barroc de Catalunya is part of the Museu de Manresa. Accedeix a la seva web des d’aquí:
Plaça de Sant Ignasi 14-1608241 Manresa — Barcelona
+34 938 741 155
