The Royal Shipyards were used as a dockyard for building, repairing and maintaining galleys and to serve the war fleet of the Crown of Aragon and the Spanish crown later, until the first half of the 18th century. Officially, they ceased to have a naval function in 1745. From that time the building was used by the army.
Between 1802 and 1935 the complex mainly functioned as an arsenal and, subsequently, as an artillery depôt. Cannons, limbers and gun carriages were stored and repaired there, among other items.
With the outbreak of war in 1936 and the total evacuation of the soldiers, the recently created Museu Marítim de Catalunya (Catalonia Maritime Museum) took up residence in the Shipyards, at which point the former shipbuilding facility once again became an area devoted to maritime culture.
From 1941 a substantial part of the complex was set aside to accommodate the Museu Marítim de Barcelona, the name given to the institution following its inauguration. Following the restoration of the building, parts were used for the museum’s permanent exhibition and complementary services.