The Emporium Museum (1910-1916), Empuries-L'Escala, Spain Between Private Collection Of Antiquities And Public Archaeological Museum

The existence of the important Greco-Roman archaeological site of Empuries led to growing interest in collecting antiquities from the region from the eighteenth century to the opening of the twentieth century. Starting in 1908, the Board of Museums of Barcelona promoted a programme of archaeological excavations at this site. The operation was successful, notable remains being found immediately. In this context, a group of individuals associated with the Board of Museums of Barcelona who were also collectors of archaeological objects from Empuries promoted the creation of the Emporium Museum in 1909, in the town of L'Escala where the archaeological site is located. This museum would contain principally items from private collections: it experienced various ups and downs, and existed until 1916 when its collections were transferred to a new museum at the site of Empuries, which opened in 1917.