MUSEU DE LA XOCOLATA DE BARCELONA

1. El Museu de la Xocolata de Barcelona

The Chocolate Museum was inaugurated in 2000 and it’s the first location with these features in Catalonia. During these 6 years of activity, the Chocolate Museum has been consolidated in the cultural offer of Barcelona and it’s one of the 10 most visited Museums of the city.

One of the objectives of the Museum is connecting its activity with the cultural offer that proposes a city like Barcelona and bets for family activities, especially for children, mixing culture and chocolate and presenting the chocolate in a different way.

The Chocolate Museum is a dynamic setup promoted by the Provincial Guild of Pastry-Makers of Barcelona as a project to innovate and modernize the market based on the tradition of the confectionary’s world.

2. The record

The historic relation between Barcelona and the Chocolate Barcelona’s harbour was the main entrance door of the chocolate from America. Barcelona had an important role when the products arrived from India to Europe. In fact, the chocolate was served for the first time in Europe during a royal reception just after the American continent was discovered. By the way, it’s in Barcelona where we find the oldest chocolate atelier in Europe (1777). There are evidences that talk about the important consume of chocolate in Barcelona.

A part from the important Catalan industries of chocolate in the XIX century, the chocolate activity maturated a high quality and creativity in the chocolate world. In 1974, Lluis Santapau, started in Barcelona one of the most singular activities of the Catalan pastry: the MONA.

Innovation and tradition in the chocolate activity have remained from that moment up to now thanks to the activity and dynamism of the industry and professionals.

3. Location

The chocolate Museum is located in a relevant historical building, the old Convent of Saint Agustine in the centrally situated quarter of the “BORN” The Born is one of the most alternative and actual quarter of Barcelona and where it’s concentrated part of the cultural activity of the city, the most modern hotels, the design studios and the most singular shops. The Born also has the most famous cafés (serving hot chocolate as speciality) of the city. Here we find the Chocolate Museum, a unique place for this food lovers that want to know all its secrets.

4. The Museum project

4.1. The sweetest Museum of Barcelona

The Chocolate Museum is the sweetest museum of the city. The Museum works to be an international chocolate reference thanks to the large activity program offered by and the Pastry School located in the same building. One of the main objectives of the Museum is developing a cultural project to disclose and to make aware of the chocolate culture and increases its cultural and gastronomic value at the same time that chocolate market comes about more dynamic and modern. Moreover the Museum wants to present the chocolate in a different way and proposes a tour through the origins of chocolate, its arrival to Europe and its spreading as an item somewhere between the mythical and reality, its medicinal and aphrodisiac properties and its nutritional value.

4.2. The exposition The Chocolate Museum has an exhibition area of 600 m² where the visitants can walk through the chocolate origins, its arrival to Europe and its mythical, cultural, economic and nutritional values at the same time they learn the technique, the use and the consume. The exhibition mixes objects, presentations, scene graphics, interactive and audiovisuals.

The exhibition areas are:

1- Cocoa and chocolate. The exotic origins and the symbolic and magic value a. The cocoa: a plant for satisfying people and gods b. Cocoa’s producer countries and consumer countries c. The chocolate manufacturer today; a respectful coexistence with modernity and tradition

2- The Chocolate: a culture bridge a. How the old Aztecs took the chocolate? b. The cacaotal, a fire drink c. The cocoa, a bargaining chip d. The chocolate: from a spiced drink to a sweet drink e. Barcelona, entrance door of the chocolate in Europe f. The symbolic value of the chocolate g. The exciting and aphrodisiac value of the chocolate divide Europe

3- Chocolate: inspiration and creativity. Art and creation a. How to serve and present the chocolate. Design and chocolate b. The chocolate and the visual arts. c. Chocolate and Communication. The advertising creativity for the chocolate

4- The country of cakes, sweets and chocolate a. Cakes from Catalonia b. Spring Sweets c. The Mona d. The Mona’s origin. The Mona’s and the contemporary history e. The Mona: a prosperous industry

5- Chocolate History (audiovisual)

a. First one: Chocoatl, the cocoa and chocolate origin b. Second one: Arrival and success of the chocolate in Europe c. Third one: Chocolate for everybody: the chocolate universality

6- Barcelona Room

7- Chocolate tools

8- Crazy for chocolate

a. Dreams builders

5. Activities

The Museum has a large offer of activities and services for all the Museum visitants. We highlight:

1) Guided visits Age: from 16 years old Description: a guide takes the group through a customised, narrated and guided tour. This activity is the best option to learn the history of this exciting product. Schedule: Monday to Saturday from 10 am to 7 pm (we do not close at midday). Sunday from 10 am to 15 pm. Closed on Tuesdays. Duration: 1h Price: 5,15 € per person Observations: book in advance must be done

2) Tasting workshop Age: from 16 years old Description: a professional explains the different varieties of chocolate, their characteristics, how each variety should be enjoyed... This activity is perfect for those who want to know all the secrets of the chocolate accompanied by the chocolate professionals.

Schedule: Monday to Saturday from 10 am to 7 pm (we do not close at midday). Sunday from 10 am to 15 pm. Closed on Tuesdays. Duration: 1h Price: 7,70 € per person Observations: book in advance must be done Moreover the Museum has other funny activities for children.

USEFUL INFORMATION

Museu de la Xocolata de Barcelona C/ Comerç 36 – 08003 Barcelona Telf. 93 268 78 78 www.museuxocolata.com Museum Manager: Mr. Francesc Gil Press Manager: Nuria Perruc

Schedule The Chocolate Museum is opened from Monday to Saturday from 10am to 7pm (we do not close at midday). The Museum is closed on Tuesdays. Sundays and holidays it’s opened from 10 am to 3pm.

Entrances fees: Individual entrance: 3,90 € Group entrance: 3,30 €