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Menu navigation instructions

Instructions for keyboard users

This menu requires arrow keys to be able to use it. The menu has up to three levels:

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  • Alternatively, use the Enter key to display any level.
  • EMYA 2023 Annual Conference and Awards Ceremony
  • Agenda
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  1. Inici
  2. / Heritages
  3. / Els espais del MUHBA
  4. / MUHBA Turó de la Rovira

MUHBA Turó de la Rovira

Vista de l'espai de MUHBA Turó de la Rovira
espai-turo-rovira-interior
espai-turo-rovira-2

In March 2011, the new Turó de la Rovira heritage space was officially opened, following a restoration and heritage project in a city space that had until then been relatively degraded, isolated and unknown. It contained the remains of an anti-aircraft battery that helped to defend Barcelona from air attacks during the Civil War, as well as traces of the shantytown Canons district, which survived until 1990, and which formed part of the informal city of huts and shacks that was home to 7% of Barcelona’s population until the end of the 1950s.

The hill known as the Turó de la Rovira offers a 360º view of the city, and represents a perfect vantage point from which to look out on all the development and progress that took place on the plain of Barcelona. Originally an abandoned Iberian settlement, the drive to create modern Barcelona transformed the landscape around the Turó into agricultural land for growing carob and almond trees and vineyards. Later on, it became the location for summerhouses and small houses with gardens, while in some parts of the area building materials were extracted (such as the quarry at Can Baró). City services infrastructures were also built here, such as the Barcelona water company reservoir and the telecommunications aerials that can still be seen today.

The Museum's aim has been to highlight all these historical and heritage elements for visitors. It has created an in situ installation of five informative panels, published two urban history guides (Defensa/BCN, 1936-1939 and Barraques/BCN,) and also has been organising guided tours to the site. In addition, the Museum has promoted a methodological reflection that has produced a heritage-based intervention using on archaeological criteria especially for conserving fragile, modern structures.

The work that has been carried out (and which will soon be continued with the restoration of the northern side of the Turó and the preparation of the interior spaces for display) has been rewarded by large numbers of visitors coming to see this unique city space. In 2012, the site was awarded ex aequo the European Prize for Urban Public Space.

MUHBA Turó de la Rovira. The Civil War and Postwar Period

The archaeologic works have shown an unusual aspect of the hill, with the recovery of the Officials' Pavilion, the Troop's Pavilion  and the place of Command of Battery. 
The exhibition «Barcelona to the limit» shows the city under the bombs and the postwar informal city, where slums were the only option for many people.  All this encompasses the impact of the aerial war and shows how cities’ growth accelerated from the beginning to mid 20th century. 

Guide to the centre

Les sales

51. Active defence in the Civil War: the anti-aircraft battery

52. The informal Barcelona of shantytowns

53. Barcelona from a bird’s eye view: the metropolitan city

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    Adreça

    Marià Labèrnia s/n
    08032 Barcelona
    Tel. 93 256 21 22
    Fax. 93 268 04 54
    museuhistoria@bcn.cat
    journey planner

    Horari de visita

    October to March
    Wednesday: 10.00 to 14.00
    Saturday and Sunday: 10.00 to 15.00

    April, May and September
    Wednesday: 10.00 to 14.00
    Saturday and Sunday: 10.00 to 15.00 and 16.00 to 20.00 

    June, July and August
    Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday:
    17.00 to 20.00

    Closed on: January 1rst, May 1rst, June 24th and December 25th

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    Information
    informaciomuhba@bcn.cat
    For further information:  93 256 21 22
    (from Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays) from 10:00 to 14:00
    and from 16:00 to 19:00).

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    Preu

    Free entrance
    For guided groups for the general public see prices here

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    Bus: 22 and 119 

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