Alava information
Vitoria: Museums
MUSUEM OF ARCHAEOLOGY OF ALAVA
Installed in the House of Guevara-Gobeo-San Juan, from the mid 16th century, a building with a charming facade.
The museum split up onto three floors, exhibits pieces from the Paleolithic, Iron and Roman Age and gives visitors an extensive tour through the Middle Ages of the town of Vitoria, founded in this unique, long period. The exhibition of funeral steles is rather curious and can be found in the garden.
Opening hours
Tuesday to Friday, from 10:00 to 14:00 and 16:00 to 18:30. Saturday from 10:00 to 14:00. Sundays and public holidays, from 11:00 to 14:00. Specialised library and teaching department.
Admission fees
Admission is free.
Address
Calle Correría, 116 01001 Vitoria
Tel. +34 945181922 / Fax +34 945181923
MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS OF ALAVA
The Fine Arts Museum of Álava occupies the house-hotel of the Count of Dávila, built in 1912 by architects Luque and Apraiz in a Renaissance revival style not only in the architecture, but also in the interior and exterior decoration.
As an institution it began in 1941 when, under the name of Casa de Alava, the Regional Government destined the recently acquired building for use as a general museum of fine arts, armoury and archaeology. Over time, these last two specialities have been moved to other locations, as they grew in importance in terms of concept, research and exhibits. At the beginning the Museum housed its own exhibits from the Diputación Foral de Alava, but it soon added works by Diocese of Vitoria, part of the collection of the Art and Trade School, different pieces from the Prado Museum and the Modern Art Museum of Madrid. From the onset, the policy was to centre its acquisitions on classic and local Basque art.
Opening hours
Weekdays from 10:00 to 14:00 and 16:00 to 18:30. Saturdays, from 10:00 to 14:00 and from 17:00 to 20:00. Sundays, from 11:00 to 14:00 and from 17:00 to 20:00. Closed on Mondays.
Admission fees
Admission is free.
Address
Paseo Fray Francisco de Vitoria, 8 01007 Vitoria
Tel. +34 945181918 / Fax +34 945181919
MUSEUM FOURNIER OF PLAYING CARDS
Located in a 16th century building, the Bendaña palace takes first place on the list of playing card museums in the world.
Special attention is paid to Spanish playing cards. The collections dates back to Heraclio Fournier who, born in France, founded a large printing plant in Vitoria during the 19th century. In the museum you can see the evolution of playing cards over the history in different places in the world. Likewise, you can go on a tour through the development of graphic arts.
Opening hours
From 10:00 to 14:00 and from 16:00 to 18:30. Saturdays, from 10:00 to 14:00. Sundays and public holidays, from 11:00 to 14:00. Closed on Mondays. Last visit every day half an hour before Museum closure
Admission fees
Admission is free.
Address
Calle Cuchillería, 54 01001 Vitoria
Tel. +34 945181920 / Fax +34 945181921
Source: Web server of Instituto de Turismo de España, TURESPAÑA.
Alava guide
Basque
Country map |
Vitoria
Cathedral |