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The Bassella Mororbike Museum (L’Alt Urgell – Pyrenees) offers one of the most thrilling ways to discover the history of motorcycling. The museum, which was inaugurated in February 2002, is the first exhibition space in Spain dedicated to the world of this two-wheel sport that is permanently open to the public. In its 1000 mï of exhibition space, visitors can see a wide range of motorcycles of great historic interest and value. The machines have been painstakingly restored and are exhibited in a setting that has been specially created and decorated for this purpose.
How did the idea of the Museum arise?The origin of the museum owes much to one man: Mario Soler. His great interest in rebuilding motorbikes began just after the Spanish Civil War. In his workshop in the small village of Bassella (L’Alt Urgell, Pyrenees) –of which an exact likeness has been reconstructed on the lower floor of the museum-, he used to turn all old rusty pieces of metal, most of which had been thrown away, into authentic collectors’ items. Little by little, what originally began as just a hobby gradually became the main activity in his life. With the help of his two sons, Estanis and Toni, he recovered a range of almost forgotten examples of motorcycling history. It was a treasure that was so beautiful and valuable that he felt he just had to share it with the rest of society.
Many of those pieces can now be seen in the permanent collection that is presented on the first floor of the Museum. There are a total of 80 exhibits in all, of different styles and periods. Each has its own name and history and together they offer an interesting trip through the history of the motorcycle, from its origins until the present day, with typical examples of the main Spanish brands.
A living museumThe intention of the people responsible for the Motor Museum was to go beyond a simple retrospective exhibition of the world of the motorcycle. This is a dynamic, living museum, which aims to directly interact with everything connected with the experience of the world on two wheels. The lower floor of the Museum hosts a monographic exhibition that is renewed every year.
The structure of the building that houses the Museum has also been specially prepared so that it can host a range of activities, including business meetings, product presentations and talks.
A circuit has also been built behind the building and this is used to give Road Safety courses to young people and children. It can also be used for practical classes for cyclists and motorcyclists of different ages. These courses begin with lessons on the theory of road safety and then add practical classes with instructors.
Another important activity that the Museum organises is the Gran Ral·li dels Museus (Great Museum Rally), which is organised in conjunction with the Museu dels Joguets i Autòmats (Toy and Automat Museum) of Verdú. This is a gathering of old motorcycles and cars which grew out of an interest in promoting cultural tourism in the Lands of Lleida, but which has now become a classic event even amongst the classics.
Special prices for groups of 10 or more visitors.
Guided tours are possible, but they must be booked in advance.
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¿Did you know that one of the biggest collections of motorbikes in Spain is in Bassella?
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Contact information:
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¿Did you know that one of the biggest collections of motorbikes in Spain is in Bassella?
Museu de la Moto de Bassella - Carretera C-14, km 134 |
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