History of Tarragona Museum Casa Castellarnau

About Casa Castellarnau

Casa Castellarnau Dates from the middle ages and has been remodelled various times throughout history with the current layout being that of the 18th century noble house. Today forms part of the Museu d'Història de Tarragona (MHT) collection.

Architectural structures have been preserved from different periods. Sections of the boundary wall of the Roman Provincial forum are incorporated into the building. On the ground floor there is a series of pointed arches dating from the 14th and 15th centuries. The patio and the U-shaped staircase with its columns and Gothic capitals date from the same time. The noble floor is 18th century remonetisation with grand ballroom, dining room, bedrooms and games room. The kitchen has also been preserved on the ground floor.

This house belonged to one of the most influential families in the city of Tarragona from the beginning of the 15th century through to the 19th century. During the 18th century the building was bought by Carles de Castellarnau and the façade and internal layout underwent significant changes.

Casa Castellarnau hosted Charles V (Holy Roman Emperor, Archduke of Austria from 1519 to 1556, King of Spain from 1516 to 1556, and Lord of the Netherlands as titular Duke of Burgundy from 1506 to 1555) and his court when the monarch visited Tarragona in 1542.

Image Gallery for Casa Castellarnau

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Visiting Casa Castellarnau

The Castellarnau family home is more of a palace than a stately home and the visit includes most of the nobel floor rooms:

• Ground floor: Reception and medieval arches, museum space dedicated to the siege of tarragona 1811, medival courtyard and staircase to nobel floor, 18th Century kitchen.
• Nobel floor reception: is where guests were greeted before being led into the ballroom. This room contains stained glass heraldry windows, a grandfather clock and ornate door surrounds with the Catalan flag in a crest.
• Nobel floor Ballroom: Neoclassical decoration on the walls and frescos of Greek mythology on the ceiling. admire the chandeliers, mirrors, and plaster mouldings as well as clocks tables and chairs.
• Bedroom: with ornate dark wood bedframe, dark wood wardrobe, Drawing room annex to the bedroom with portraits and chest of drawers. Stained glass windows illuminated from the medieval courtyard.
• Dining room: Central table surrounded by sofa chairs, family portraits and a fountain. Look up at the elegant light fixture. Note the fountain between the balcony doors.
• Ladies sitting room: A spectacular room with chairs and a table with candle holders. Portraits on the walls.
• Gentleman's Games room: is occupied with a pool table. surrounded by a large dark wood wardrobe, fireplace, chairs and elegant wall light fixtures.
• Herbs, spices and medicine room: is a room with floor to ceiling display cases full of vases labelled with herbs and spices. In the centre of the room is a writing desk with chair. The room is lit by a hanging chandelier. Note the dark wood ceiling.

• In each room is a different floor tile pattern.

Casa Castellarnau opening hours

Summer: 1st April to 30 September

• Tuesday to Friday: 09:30h to 21:00h
• Saturday: 10:00h to 21:30h
• Sunday and Holiday's: 10:00h to 15:00h
• Closed: Monday's, 28th May
• Open mornings only: 1st May, 24th June, 19th August, 11th September and 23rd September

Winter: 1st October to 31 March

• Tuesday to Friday: 09:00h to 20:00h
• Saturday: 09:30h to 20:00h
• Sunday and Holiday's: 09:30h to 14:30h
• Closed: Monday's, 24th, 25th 26th & 31st December

Free Entry:International museum day in May, 19th August, 18th September, 23rd September, 8,8 and 10th October. The last Tuesday of January, February, march, May, October, November and December.

Access closes 30 minutes before final closing time.

Casa Castellarnau Homepage

Getting to Casa Castellarnau

Address: Carrer dels Cavallers 14, Tarragona. 43004

Where to stay overnight in the Tarragona Casa Castellarnau (MHT)