Michał Krueger – a special envoy to Spain
Translated by Agnieszka Gabor
Barcelona is a city that attracts people from a number of reasons. Numerous museums, an interesting geographical position, one of the biggest old towns in Europe, marvelous modernist architecture, not to mention the early one – all of these can be enjoyed by a visitor to the capital of Catalonia.
All the tourists who are tired with Gaudi’s architecture have the opportunity to deviate from the Modernistic Trail and go to the nearby Museu Egipci de Barcelona, the Egyptian Museum. This relatively new institution was establised 15 years ago thanks to initiative from Jordi Close, a lover of egyptology and the founder of Fundació Arqueològica Clos which takes care of the museum from the scientific point of view and also governs it. The museum has very quickly made a reputation due to extended research (excavations in Oxyrinchos, Jebel Barkal, Meidum, Sharuna) and restoration programmes it supports. The prestige of the institution is enhanced through its cooperation with the archaelogical units of leading European universities such as those in Oxford, Tybind, Barcelona as well as the Autonomous University of Barcelona or the Catalonian Technical University.
Moreover, the museum runs a publishing activity by means of releasing the ArqueoClub magazine, scientific and popular science books and also exhibition catalogues. As for the didactic sphere, it comprises a wide array of activities ranging from Egyptological workshops for children to courses in the language, history and culture of Ancient Egypt for postgraduate students.
This modern institution can boast of such attractions as three big rooms of over 2000 square metres general showspace, a temporary exposition room, five lecture halls, a souvenir shop, Friends of the museum Club and a specialistic travel agency. The vast range of activities and possibilities the museum offers is reflected in the ticket prices: 11 euros for a normal ticket (8 euros with a discount), however, it does not translate into the rank of the exhibits. Although a visit does provide you with a basic and reliable knowledge about Ancient Egypt, the museum does not abound with spectacular exhibits. Be that as it may, the place seems worth visiting for it makes you realise that playing with objects of the second rank but exposed in an attractive way may create a cultural institution that will turn out not only interesting but also profitable.
Practical information about the museum and regular and temporary exhibitions is available under Tel.No. (34) 93 488 01 88 or on the museum home page. > link
