Through former industrial textile manufacturing spaces and the spectacular architecture of this Modernist building the museum shows the evolution of scientific and technological advances in Catalonia, paying special attention to their industrial application and their effect on society.
The museum offers several permanent exhibitions on the evolution of the scientific and technological advances in Catalonia. Visitors can see the process for wool production illustrated in the textile factory in the museum. In addition to hosting exhibitions on transport, energy, the human body or computers, the museum hosts temporary or itinerant exhibitions.
One of the major attractions of the visit is the museum building, Vapor Aymerich, Amat i Jover, considered the best example of Modernist industrial architecture in the country. A magnificent tiled vault gives it a unique personality. Visits to the building roof are occasionally organised.
The MNACTEC is an old demand of the Association of Industrial Engineers of Catalonia, which initially promoted the installations as a centre dedicated to technology. The headquarters are in the former steam-powered textile factory Aymerich, Amat i Jover in Terrassa, which was in operation from 1908 to 1978. The building was designed by Lluís Muncunill i Parellada.
In 1981, the Department of Culture of the Generalitat de Catalunya took charge of the project and in 1983 it purchased the Aymerich, Amat i Jover factory, a former steam-powered woollen textile mill in Terrassa to transform it into the museum headquarters, opened to the public in 1984 and declared a National Museum in 1990. The first permanent exhibition was inaugurated and the restoration work on the main part of the building was completed in 1996.
HOURS
Winter opening hours (from September 16 to June 14)
Tuesday to Friday 09:00 to 18:00.
Saturdays from 10:00 to 14:30 and from 15:30 to 19:30.
Sundays and public holidays from 10:00 to 14:30.
Closed on Mondays.
Exceptionally, on 24 and 31 December, 5 January and Holy Thursday the Museum is open from 10 to 14.30 h.
Summer opening hours (From June 15 to September 15)
Tuesday to Sunday and publick holidays, 10:00 to 14:30.
Closed
Every Monday (except during the Festa Major de Terrassa).
1 and 6 January and 25 and 26 December.
