Museum of Tortosa, History and Archeology of the Terres de l’Ebre region

If you want to discover the history of Tortosa and understand the evolution of a city with more than two thousand years of history, the Tortosa Museum is an essential visit. Housed in the former Municipal Slaughterhouse, one of the city's finest examples of Modernist architecture, the museum combines an outstanding architectural heritage with a fascinating journey through the history of Tortosa and its surrounding region.

Built between 1906 and 1908 by the architect Pau Monguió i Segura, the building is one of the most remarkable examples of Modernism in the Terres de l'Ebre. Its symmetrical layout of pavilions, together with the use of exposed brick, ceramic decoration and glazed roof tiles, gives the complex a distinctive Mudéjar-inspired character. Its architectural significance has earned it a place among the Seven Treasures of Tortosa's Cultural Heritage, chosen by public vote in 2021.

The permanent exhibition is organised into six thematic sections that guide visitors through the history of Tortosa and the Terres de l'Ebre, from Prehistory to the 20th century. Along the way, visitors discover the first human settlements, Iberian culture, the Roman city of Dertosa, Islamic Turtuxa, medieval Tortosa and the city's transformation into the modern era. The displays include objects from the museum's own collection as well as long-term loans from prestigious institutions such as the Museo Nacional del Prado, the National Art Museum of Catalonia (MNAC), the National Archaeological Museum of Tarragona and the Museum of the Terres de l'Ebre.

The visit is further enriched by the exhibition Between Two Centuries. Tortosa Artists in Times of Change, featuring 55 works by Antoni Casanova i Estorach, Francesc Gimeno i Arasa and Agustí Querol i Subirats, three leading figures of Catalan art between the 19th and 20th centuries. The exhibition brings together works from the Tortosa Museum's collection alongside loans from the National Art Museum of Catalonia (MNAC), the Museo Nacional del Prado and private collections, offering a unique opportunity to discover the artistic legacy of some of Tortosa's most internationally recognised artists.

In addition to its permanent displays, the Tortosa Museum hosts temporary exhibitions, cultural activities and visual arts projects, making it a dynamic cultural venue that continues to evolve.

Visiting the Tortosa Museum is an opportunity to explore the history of a millennia-old city while discovering one of the most outstanding Modernist buildings in the Terres de l'Ebre. It is an experience that brings together heritage, architecture, archaeology and art, offering visitors a deeper understanding of Tortosa and its unique identity.