CosmoCaixa Science Museum

CosmoCaixa Barcelona, one of the most prestigious science museums in Europe, represents a fascinating journey through the world of knowledge and discovery. Inaugurated in 2004 and located in the Sant Gervasi district, this museum is housed in a modernist building originally designed by Josep Domènech i Estapà in 1904-1909. The building, which previously housed a school for the blind, underwent a major renovation between 1999 and 2004 by architects Robert and Esteve Terradas, transforming it into a modern center for scientific dissemination. Managed by the “la Caixa” Foundation, the museum has won numerous awards, including the European Museum of the Year in 2006 and the Kenneth Hudson Award in 2021, accolades that attest to its excellence and continuous innovation. With a surface area of over 30,000 square meters, CosmoCaixa offers a wide range of exhibitions and activities covering various scientific disciplines. One of the main attractions is the Universe Room, an interactive exhibition that guides visitors through the history of the universe, from the Big Bang to the frontiers of human knowledge. The room is divided into three sections: Kósmos, which explores the laws of physics; Evolution, which tells the story of life on Earth; and Fronteras, which focuses on the most recent scientific discoveries and the functioning of the human brain. Another must-see section is the Flooded Forest, a faithful reproduction of a section of the Amazon rainforest. This space offers visitors the opportunity to explore a complex ecosystem rich in biodiversity, with plants, animals, and microorganisms living in a simulated yet extremely realistic environment. The goal is to raise awareness about the need to preserve these fragile natural habitats. The Geological Wall is another highlight of the museum, with seven large sections of rocks from different parts of the world. This educational wall allows visitors to touch the different geological formations and understand the processes that have shaped the Earth’s crust over millennia. CosmoCaixa also houses a state-of-the-art planetarium, where visitors can enjoy immersive astronomical shows that explain the wonders of the night sky and the mysteries of the universe. The full dome projection technology offers a unique visual experience, allowing the audience to travel through space and time. An interesting anecdote concerns the decision to include the Flooded Forest in the museum. During the planning of the renovation, the architects and curators traveled to the Amazon to study the ecosystem they wanted to reproduce up close. This experience allowed them to create an extraordinarily accurate and detailed representation of the rainforest, which is now one of the museum’s highlights.