The Geology Museum and the Zoology Museum merged in 2000, forming the current Museum of Natural Science.

The origin of these two museums goes back to the Martorell Museum, which was founded in 1878 with the endowment left by Francesc Martorell Peña to create Barcelona’s first public museum.

The Museum is dedicated to preserving natural heritage and promoting its zoological and geological holdings, which are dearly important to the scientific, economic, and cultural development of society.

Special exhibits explore a variety of themes. The recent “Murder at the Museum” challenges visitors to be detectives for a day. Observing the crime scene and using various techniques commonly employed by detectives in real life, visitors are invited to examine forensic evidence, draw conclusions and determine who the murderer is.