CATALAN TOY MUSEUM

We're now in the Spainish city of Figueres, birthplace of Salvadore Dali, about 1 hour north of Barcelons.   As you might expect, it's a town full of art and quirkiness.  Since it's rainy and cold we decided to visit the Toy Museum, or in Catalan, Museu del Joguet de Catalunya, just down the street from the main Dali museum.

We were unprepared for what an interesting and fun place this would be.  They boast over 17,000 antique toys, 5,000 which are on display.  The train room alone was amazing.  All trains in this room were running.

Oiler

Cog railway in Swiss Alps

Many others were on display.

And that was just trains.

Tin transportation toys, anyone?

The European version of Erector Sets

Amazing wind up toys

Musical 3 Little Pigs

One way is a tram, then it becomes a cog railway

Martian spaceship

Mickeys!

Unknown board games

Creepy dolls

Dogs and cats on wheels

And so much more!  Puppets, cards, magic shows, theaters, and on and on.  Most toys were played with by people from this region, such as Dali and his sister Maria, as well as writer Federico Garcia Lorca.  At the end of the exhibits is a play room for more hands on, and we got to watch some great early animations featuring a cartoon mole who gets into all sorts of situations but uses creative problem solving to get out of them.

We feel ready now to tackle the Dali museum tomorrow.

Audrey