Museums

CATHEDRAL MUSEUM

Located in the chapter house and former 14th century cloister of the Cathedral, the museum opened to the public in 1956 and underwent a major renovation a few years ago.

A tour through the museum teaches visitors about the works in the most important collection of sacred art in Murcia, led by an interesting explanation that explains all the life behind them. A spaced filled with history and modernity, in which paintings from the Italian trecento, paintings by Luca Giordano, and incredible sculptures by Francisco Salzillo, sit alongside delicate textiles and beautiful pieces of silverware.

Additionally, visitors can enjoy the new findings unearthed by the refurbishment, with the archaeological remains of the subsoil giving an excellent indication of the constructive evolution of the building. Among the most interesting remains are unfinished decorative elements that have been restored.

Entrance to the museum also lets you opt for a guided tour through the cathedral, as well as allowing you to climb the tower, an incredible experience combining history, art, and a unique panoramic view of the city. Climbing the tower also allows you to discover the its magnificent construction, a gem of the renaissance and baroque periods, accessing the secret chamber, the chapel, the balcony of incantations and the bells.

SANTA CLARA MUSEUM

Along with the Cathedral, this is the place that best reflects the history of Murcia from the Middle Ages to the present day. The building was a palace for the Muslim emirs in the 12th and 13th centuries, alcázar for the Castilian monarchs and royal monastery for the Order of Santa Clara from 1365 until modern times.

The presence of a Muslim summer palace (Alcázar Seguir) outside the city is due to the importance that Murcia gained in the Al-Andalus political landscape.

In the Al-andalus archaeology section, the room of Shar al-Andalus is of particular interest, showing the luxury and ostentation of courtesan life. Other items of note include a bronze flask with epigraphic writing, a short sword, pieces of glass and bone, golden jewellery created in Nasrid workshops and coins.

In the Times of Silence room, there is an entire section dedicated to sacred art located in the upper choir and gallery of the monastery. There are art works on display by the Poor Clares, a monastic heritage brought together through donations or gifts from the novices on entering the convent.

A visit to the museum also allows you to view the 13th century Arabic pool, the Gothic gallery of the cloister and the pictorial representations of dragons in the choir, also in Gothic style.

MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS

Located in the popular neighbourhood of Santa Eulalia, this is one of the most deeply-rooted institutions in Murcia. The museum has two halls: The Pabellón Cerdán, which houses the permanent exhibition, and the Pabellón Contraste, for temporary exhibitions and the library centre.

The MUBAM, as the museum is commonly known, has an important collection of paintings with works by Murillo (Crucifixion and Ecce Homo), Zurbarán, Rafael Tejeo, Martínez Pozo, Medina Vera, and Pedro Orrente, among others.

There are also has spaces dedicated to sculpture, the decorative arts of glass and ceramics, and editions of antique books.

The permanent collection is spread throughout 8 rooms, as follows: Room I. Painting of the 15th and 16th centuries. The Renaissance in Murcia. Room II. Art in Murcia during the 17th century. Room III. Art of the 17th century. The painting of the Golden Age. Room IV. Cabinet of art. Room V. The Enlightenment and the 18th century in Murcia. Art during the 18th century. Room VI. From Academicism to Eclecticism. The major pictorial genres. Room VII. Costumbrist painting. Regionalism. Room VIII. Allegorical Art Room. Decorative painting. The Landscape. Temporary Exhibition Room.

CITY MUSEUM

Located in the former home of the López-Ferrer family, this 19th century building has origins dating back five centuries. On this same site in the 16th century stood the so-called Junterón Tower, home of Don Gil Rodríguez de Junterón, a prominent figure of the era who served as Archdeacon of Lorca and Protonotary of Pope Julius II in Rome.

At the back is a garden of Spanish-Moorish origin, watered by the Caravija irrigation channel. The building occupies a choice position (Convent of the Agustinas, Bullfighting Museum, Salzillo Museum, Regional Crafts Centre, Salitre Gardens), and brings together the past and present of the city to show visitors its origins, its identity and its historical-artistic heritage.

The museum is structured in such a way that, as you walk through its rooms, you can discover the evolution that the city has experienced over the course of its history. The museum is of great importance to Murcians, as well as for tourists who want to understand the roots of and the changes experienced by the city over time.

There is also an extensive program of activities and workshops for children and adults, as well as continuous temporary exhibitions. 

UNIVERSITY MUSEUM

The Museum of the University of Murcia is located in Hall 4 of the Jaime I Former Artillery Barracks. These barracks consist of six large halls around a large parade ground, today used by the town as a leisure and recreation space.

The building was completely renovated between 1999 and 2001, and inaugurated as a museum in 2003. 

The main objective of the museum is the collection, preservation, conservation, study and exhibition of an important series of items from the University of Murcia. These items are mainly of a technical, scientific, artistic or cultural nature, which for the most part have become obsolete or antiquated in teaching.  These collections create a coherent story of the history of research at the University of Murcia.

The Museum has a technical area for the preservation, cataloguing and registration of objects that make up its permanent collection, with more than 3000 pieces. The digital catalogue is currently being updated.

The José Nicolás Almansa Temporary Exhibition Hall has exhibitions of all kinds, and has already hosted 70 temporary displays.

SAN JUAN DE DIOS MONUMENTAL SITE

This delightful 18th century church boasts an oval floor. Decorated with rococo plasterwork and altarpieces of trompe l’oeil architecture, the work of Italian Paolo Sístori, and with a splendid main altarpiece made of marble and jasper, it is home to all the arts: architecture, sculpture, painting and music. Combined with the permanent smell of incense, it recreates a true baroque atmosphere to delight all the senses.

The museum is made up of three thematic areas: the church of 1781, the space dedicated to 20th century sculptor Juan González Moreno in the choir, and the archaeological remains of the main Alcázar of Murcia, underground - the wall, oratory and pantheon.

It is one of the most comprehensive collections of religious sculpture in the region, with pieces ranging from the 15th century to the early 20th century. These works from the most significant sculptors can be admired in their own context, in the environment for which they were created, since the original imagery of the church has been preserved almost in its entirety. There is always baroque background music, appropriate to the liturgical season.

It is also used as a place of worship, promoted by the brotherhoods who have their canonical residence in this church, ensuring that the church does not lose its true and original purpose.

BULLFIGHTING MUSEUM OF MURCIA

The museum is part of the Murcia Bullfighting Club, today the senior member of bullfighting clubs around the world. It was created the same day as the La Condomina bullring. It is currently based in a building built in 1920 inside the Salitre Gardens, though it has moved headquarters nine times in the past.

The museum hosts a range of paintings, graphic art, textiles, tools and objects, historical documentation and pieces of contemporary art. Of particular note are the heads of important bulls that have passed through the Condomina bullring, and a collection of 30 posters, dating from 1887 to 1913. There is a collection, unique in Spain, of over 30 tambourines hand painted by Murcian artists. Over 300 posters from 1830 to 1935, many in coloured silk, reflecting an important part of the history of bullfighting, bullfighting costumes, ceremonial capelets, picador jackets, banderillas (de fuego, ordinarias, de lujo, divisas, puyas, etc.). 

The Murcia Bullfighting Club, recognised for its age with the Gold and Silver medals of the Royal Spanish Bullfighting Federation, also has an extensive library and video library, as well as a spacious café where you can sample regional cuisine.

MUSEUM OF MOORS AND CHRISTIANS

The Museum of the Federation of Associations of Moors and Christians, being its President Don Alfonso Gálvez Pérez, was inaugurated on March 27, 2011 by the Mayor of Murcia Don Miguel Ángel Cámara Botía.

In this Museum we can find costumes of each kabbalah and mesnadas, banners, costumes of Kings and Favorites, the embroidered layer of Lorca of the Moorish Ambassador and there are exposed pictures and photographs representative of the murcian artists' festivities. Hours: Monday to Friday. 10 to 13.30 Location: Artillery Barracks. C / Cartagena.