Everything you need to know for your visit to the Wax Museum

The origins of the Barcelona Wax Museum date back to 1873, when the building was constructed to house the bank “El Comercio”, which safeguarded the jewellery, money, and valuables of Barcelona’s bourgeoisie.

Years later, the building was acquired by Caixa Vilumara, but it closed in 1914 when the Banco de Barcelona bought its shares and took over the premises. In 1922, ownership changed hands again to another bank until 1969. Its long history as a banking headquarters is the reason the street is called Pasaje de la Banca.

In 1973, architect and scenographer Enrique Alarcón was captivated by the building’s mysterious and charming aura, which reminded him of an old crime film. Inspired, he decided to create a wax museum and designed each room to tell a story, mimicking a film set.

The museum remained open for nearly 50 years until it underwent a complete renovation in 2020 to modernise its spaces. New lighting, sound, and technology systems were installed to offer visitors a more immersive experience.

The goal of this reopening was to stay relevant and appealing to all audiences by frequently adding new characters, such as wax figures of Billie Eilish, Greta Thunberg, and Alexia Putellas. Each figure, costing approximately €25,000, requires meticulous craftsmanship. The museum also has an adjacent workshop where repairs are carried out, with fingers being the most fragile and frequently damaged parts.