Today, May 2, the Museu de l'Empordà begins a new stage with the official reopening of its facilities, after a comprehensive renovation of both the building and the museographic and museological project. The new facility is presented with redesigned spaces, a renovating exhibition proposal and a strong commitment to energy efficiency and citizen participation.
With an investment of 1.5 million euros, from the European Next Generation Fund and with the collaboration of the Figueres City Council, the Girona Provincial Council and the Generalitat de Catalunya, the intervention has transformed a total of 1,212 m² spread over four floors. The works have made it possible to expand the exhibition space, create a new catering area and condition the reserves so that they can be visited. Sustainability improvements have also been introduced with the installation of solar panels, high-efficiency air conditioning systems and LED lighting, which will allow energy savings of more than 60%.
Imatge de la façana del Museu de l'Empordà. © Jordi Puig
The museum tour unfolds over several floors: the ground floor houses the temporary exhibitions - a space that has been operational for a year -; the first and second floors house the permanent collection; the fourth floor houses the visitable reserves, offices and the art restoration area. The auditorium, located in the basement, had already been put into operation during a first phase of the renovation.
One of the main axes of the project has been the participatory process initiated in 2021, which has had the contribution of more than 500 people. This collective work has been key to shaping the new exhibition narrative, coordinated by Margarida Loran and developed by Cristina Masanés and Pere Parramon , with the support of the museum team led by Eduard Bech-Vila .
Vista de l'exposició 'Noves adquisiciones 2022-2024. La gent i els llocs', 2025.
The proposal abandons the traditional chronological order to adopt a current and integrative perspective, open to various artistic languages and sensibilities. Of the almost 3,000 pieces that make up the museum's collection, approximately 10% is exhibited, with a prominent presence of works created by women artists, who represent 20% of the total number of works on display. The tour includes painting, sculpture, drawing, installation, photography, graphic work, archaeological pieces and clothing, with a temporal scope that goes from antiquity to the year 2024.
L'amor i la papallona, Àngel Planells
The new story also highlights the history of the museum itself, from the first donations by prominent local figures to works linked to the Empordà territory. A selection of 50 emblematic pieces, presented with extended texts, helps to trace this historical and creative story. In addition, an audiovisual has been incorporated that explains the origin of the collection, which dates back to 1876 with the donation by Joan Tutau to what would be the future Museum of Painting of the Col·legi d'Humanitats (currently the Ramon Muntaner Institute).
To mark the reopening, the museum has scheduled an open day during the weekend of May 3 and 4, coinciding with the Fairs and Festivals of Santa Creu de Figueres. An opportunity to rediscover the Museu de l'Empordà, now with a renewed perspective that combines history, territory and more inclusiveness in the narrative of art.
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