So we have established that there are museums for every age, interest and taste in Spain.
True, there have been one or two notable casualties recently. Expensive white elephant museums that have closed their doors almost before the paint has dried.
But there are some very well established museums all over Spain that continue to be popular, despite not being promoted heavily by local tourist offices.
In part one i came across ships in Sanlúcar, planes in Malaga and football in Barcelona.
Here’s a few more for your must see list.
In the city of Granada, a great place to take a holiday, there are many museums to experience.
All the attention and publicity surrounds the most visited tourist attraction in all of Spain; the Alhambra Palace. And, even there, you can visit a fascinating museum which has exhibitions that change periodically.
But down below in the heart of the city there are many places of interest to visit. The Casa de los Tiros museum is a light and airy building. After first admiring the outside structure, and the internal patio, go up the stairs and wander around a museum that is packed full of genuinely interesting exhibits that reflect the changing face of the city over the centuries. This building is the official home to the city archives.
Casa de los Tiros, Granada
The museum is on the edge of the atmospheric Realejo district. The building dates back to the 16th century and its facade includes the muskets from which shots (tiros) were fired at invading armies. The creator of the building, Gil Vásquez Rengifo, first came to the city during the conquest of Granada.
The museum is made up of seven large rooms broken down into easy to understand displays and exhibitions. In room number seven you can see visual images of those who were historically the poor of Granada.
Room one details the changing landscape of the city itself and the famous Vega, or surrounding countryside. A view that has changed considerably since the likes of poet Federico Garcia Lorca and composer Manuel de Falla were among the most popular men in the city. There are museums celebrating the works of both men in or near the city.
Casa de los Tiros, Granada
Artists have always been drawn to the city. In the Albaicin there is a lovely museum located at the former home of Belgian artist Max Moreau. It is set in smashing grounds and with great views across to the aforementioned Alhambra Palace. His artists studio has been preserved and there are examples of his work on show.
Below in the heart of modern day Granada, and close to the atmospheric and ever popular Alcaicería shopping streets, is a permanent exhibition of the works of painter José Guerrero.
A Granadino by birth, he was a very well travelled artist who died in Barcelona as recently as nineteen ninety one. He had studied his craft in New York in the fifties. It was only when he returned to Spain in the mid sixties that he became a high profile artist in the country of his birth.
He went on to play a key role in the foundation of the Museum of Cuenca. Just one of many reasons to visit Cuenca itself.
If you have not been to Cuenca I suggest you make a space in your diary right now.
José Guerrero, permanent exhibition, Granada
On the outskirts of the city of Granada is the very popular Science Park. People I know of all ages have raved to me about this place.
I thought it was just for the young ones, but apparently not. Grown ups have been very complimentary about the size of the place and especially how interactive it is.
Divided into different sections, there is something for everyone. There is a journey through the human body, a planetarium and a very distinctive observation tower. There is a tropical butterfly house and, I am assured, a mesmerising outdoor birds of prey display.
It is on my doorstep and yet I have not experienced all the place has to offer. Shame on me. Why is it that we often travel hundreds of miles to see a notable landmark, or visit a museum, while often overlooking what is around the corner? Note to self… stop driving past the Parque de las Ciencias in Granada. Go in and do so before the exhibition celebrating the life and work of drawer and engraver Maurits Cornelis Escher ends in January.
You can see the viewing platform of the Science Park from some distance away. Look out for some giant ants on the side of the tower.
No bull in Ronda
Ronda is famous for having the oldest bullring in Spain. It is a great city in which to spend a holiday. Just the right size to savour in full without tiring yourself out.
On days when there is no event on, and when the coach parties have left, I find it to be a tranquil place to sit. Soak up the sun while admiring the architecture of the place.
But there is also a museum there. Now you don’t have to admire bullfighting to appreciate the contents of the museum. Far from it. The museum traces the history and development of what it calls “the art of bullfighting.” There are paintings, historical documents, ‘tools of the trade’, sculptures and costumes. I found the last named to be the most interesting. It became clear that my waistline would not fit into the costume of a matador.
The permanent exhibition also explores the connection between the city of Ronda, bullfighting and the families whose names are inextricably linked with the event. There are paintings by Goya and memorablia from the days when author Ernest Hemingway was a regular spectator in Ronda.
The museum is just one part of a tour that takes you behind the scenes, including the pens and the riding school that promotes horse riding skills and the breeding of the thoroughbred Spanish horse.
In the shadows at Ronda
In the classic city of Córdoba, there is the Museum Palace of Viana.
This building is surrounded by one of the very best gardens in Andalusia. But do not overlook all that is on offer inside. The known history of the palace dates back to the 14th century. However, the architecture tells you that the building goes back even further.
Home to the aristocracy of Córdoba the last of whom was the Marquises of Viana. It was opened as a museum in nineteen eighty and is now owned by a prominent Spanish bank. You will see sixteenth century tapestries, a 4th century mosaic and antique furniture from all over the world. Room after room of treasures and fascinating artefacts.
Of course you will go to Córdoba to see La Mezquita. But, as is the case in so many other Spanish cities, there is much more to see than just one famous and often busy tourist landmark.
Viana Palace, Córdoba
Indeed the best discoveries I have made on my travels around Spain are those which, mysteriously, the tourist offices of Spain do their utmost to hide from public view.
In the Baix Empordà region of northern Spain they do not make that mistake. They rightly promote museums of all sizes. True, most people go to buildings that have some connection to surrealist Salvador Dali. The castle at Pubol, one of his former homes, was a definite favourite of mine.
But, away from the neighbouring beaches of the Costa Brava, there are also some less well known places to visit. A toy museum at Sant Feliu de Guixols has over two thousand Spanish made toys dating back to 1870.
If dolls are your thing then go to the Museu de la Nina at Castell d’Aro. Dolls from all over the world chart the progress of the doll and you can see those made of papier mache, straw, pottery and leather.
In the interest of research into Spanish wines, I have a small collection of corks. But in the very smart and sophisticated location of Palafrugell there is an entire museum dedicated to cork. All you ever needed to know about cork and more is there for you. And there is, naturally, a shop selling products made of cork.
Discovering museums, Baix Empordà, Costa Brava
I like to look for the quirky museums. After all, in Spain, you could spend every day of the year walking around a religously inspired museum. There is an olive museum in many villages and towns. There is even one opposite my front door and yes, before you ask, I have been to it!
But up and down the country, with every passing year, Spain is beginning to realise that the more you offer the tourist – the more tourists will come. People demand more from a museum today than in decades past.
Spain is delivering variety. One day they might do as good a job of promoting all that is on offer, rather than concentrating on half a dozen well known tourist attractions. Until that day arrives, we shall have to do the job for them. We will continue to look for the hidden gems ourselves.
Take it from me, they are out there.
