The Palau de Requesens is reborn as a Renaissance Museum

This Sunday, December 15, the Palau de Requesens de Molins de Rei will open its doors to the public as a Renaissance Museum , thus culminating a restoration process that has transformed this historic building into a cultural reference point. The museum will celebrate the artistic and historical heritage of one of humanity's most fascinating eras and will also highlight the role the town played in that period. In addition, it is the first monographic museum dedicated to deepening the art and history of this period, a milestone in the Catalan cultural field.

The origin of the Palau de Requesens dates back to 1430, when Galceran de Requesens received the privilege of turning Molins de Rei into a barony and began the construction of this emblematic building, which over the centuries has hosted figures as illustrious as John II of Catalonia and Aragon, the Catholic Kings or Emperor Charles V. Declared a Cultural Asset of National Interest in 1949, the palace is now a space dedicated to the dissemination of Renaissance art, history and daily life.

The museum presents a story articulated in three major axes that unfold along its three floors. The first floor tells the story of the Requesens family and the importance of their legacy in Molins de Rei. The art of the Renaissance, protagonist of the second floor, is presented as a mixture between the local Gothic tradition and the innovations arrived from outside, such as the use of perspective and oil painting . Catalonia, far from the main artistic centers of Europe in the 16th century, adapted these novelties thanks to cultural exchanges, the engravings that inspired local artists and the presence of foreign artists. This synthesis gave rise to works that represented reality with a renewed sensibility. Finally, on the third floor, the everyday life of the 16th century comes to life through the objects on display, direct witnesses of the day-to-day life of this era. Pieces such as glass cups, clocks or coins allow today to understand more about the customs and innovations of the moment. These objects, often complemented by their appearance in pictorial works, speak to us not only of functionality, but also of the beauty and refinement of an era marked by change and transformation.

The works in the Renaissance Museum come from an extensive network of collaboration between museum institutions. Highlights include assignments from the National Art Museum of Catalonia, the Barcelona History Museum, the Frederic Marès Museum, the Barcelona Design Museum, the Diocesan and Regional Museum of Lleida, the University of Barcelona and the Documentation Center and Textile Museum of Terrassa . To this list is added the Museo Nacional del Prado , which contributes with its expansion program #ElPradoExtendido, thus strengthening the national dimension of the project. In addition, the museum also exhibits pieces from the municipal collection.

Beyond being an exhibition of works of art, the museum is offered as a space for reflection, allowing visitors to understand the impact of the Renaissance in the Catalan and European context. Damià Martínez , director of the museum, points out that this project has a clear pedagogical vocation and is aimed at a wide audience that includes both occasional visitors and specialized academics. This initiative is also an example of institutional cooperation and public investment, since the project has been possible thanks to the collaboration between several administrations, minimizing the economic impact for the city council. Also, the collaboration with the Renaissance Chair of the University of Barcelona ensures that the museum maintains a constant connection with research and academic knowledge.

With this new museum, Molins de Rei is positioned as a key point in Catalan cultural geography, offering the possibility of rediscovering the Renaissance from historical, artistic and human perspectives. The Palau de Requesens revives as a restored monument, and at the same time projects a new vision of the future for culture and history in Catalonia.

Retrat de cavaller de l'orde de sant Jaume, Anton van Dasshort Mor (s. XVI). MNAC