Behind-the-Scenes Access Across County Museums
Around thirty museums belonging to the Diputació de Barcelona will open restricted spaces usually reserved for professionals from Friday 20th to Sunday 22nd November. The initiative, called El museu que no es veu (The Museum You Don't See), offers free guided visits to storage areas, restoration laboratories, archives, and libraries across 26 municipalities in the Barcelona region. The programme aims to reveal how museum collections are preserved, documented, restored, and researched. Visitors will meet the specialists who carry out this work, gaining insight into the daily operations behind public exhibitions.
Storage, Labs and Archaeological Sites Uncovered
Participants can tour the storage facilities at Museu Palau Mercader in Cornellà de Llobregat, the Museu Tèxtil in Terrassa, and VINSEUM in Vilafranca del Penedès. Other highlights include access to archaeological sites such as Camp de les Lloses in Tona and Cova de les Toixoneres at the Parc Prehistòric de les Coves del Toll in Moià, where visitors will learn about fieldwork and archaeological analysis. Several museums are also opening local heritage sites not normally accessible. The Museu Torre Balldovina in Santa Coloma de Gramenet will offer tours of its historic mill and washhouse, while the Museu Municipal de Nàutica del Masnou is hosting visits to the local cemetery.
Archives and Rare Collections on View
Additional activities include access to heritage archives and libraries, such as the Fundació Jacint Verdaguer’s archive and library. Some venues will display objects not featured in permanent exhibitions, allowing the public to explore lesser-known aspects of regional history and culture. All activities are free and part of a coordinated effort by the Xarxa de Museus Locals (XML) to demystify museum operations and strengthen public engagement with cultural heritage. For full details and schedules, visit the official Diputació de Barcelona programme page.
Sources: La Ciutat, Diputació de Barcelona.
