El submarí Barcelona

The SA-51 is a decommissioned attack craft positioned in front of the main entrance to the science museum. Its dark gray steel and cylindrical tower rise among trees and pathways, forming an unexpected contrast with the modern glass facade of the building.

The Spanish Navy decommissioned this craft in the 1980s after decades of operation in the Mediterranean. The Defense Ministry transferred it to the museum in 1986 to take on a new role as a teaching object.

This vessel serves as a tangible link between military past and scientific curiosity in the present. Families and school groups often gather around the gray hull to observe the size and shape of a real warship.

Access to the exterior view is free year-round, as the craft stands on a public plaza beside the museum entrance. Visitors can walk around the hull to view different angles, though the interior is not accessible.

The Bazán shipyard in Cartagena built this attack craft in the 1960s following French plans. Despite its military origin, it never engaged in combat and served mainly for training purposes in Spanish waters.

Location: Barcelona

Location: Sant Gervasi-la Bonanova

GPS coordinates: 41.41450,2.13209

Latest update: December 5, 2025 14:05