Ourense Provincial Archaeological Museum, Ourense, Spain

The Ourense Provincial Archaeological Museum occupies the building that was the Bishop’s Palace. It is one of the best preserved civil monumental ensembles in Romanesque style, and was declared a Historic-Artistic Monument in 1931. Its structure is a faithful testimony of the development of the city, with Roman, Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque and modern elements. Its construction began in the 12th century and played an important role in the medieval urban organization.

The site was already occupied in Roman times, as evidenced by the discovered building remains, and subsequently by a high-medieval necropolis.

The present building was built in the 12th century, and its main façade is now, after many reforms in the surroundings, a Romanesque courtyard. Over the centuries it underwent modifications and extensions that altered its general appearance. So, the added elements are Gothic (tower of Santa Maria), Renaissance (garden galleries), Baroque (the main entrance) and modern (arcades in Bispo Carrascosa street).

The Archaeological Museum, founded in 1895, finally settled in this building in 1951, undergoing a restoration, according to a project by Pons Sorolla in 1960-1968.

Museums in Spain

User Reviews

Doncelador (14 months ago)
It can be accessed through three streets, the main Burgas street, Plaza de la Herreria and Baños street. The interpretation center has five rooms plus the archaeological finds outside, in which we are introduced to the hot springs of Ourense. The entrance is free.

Destinos Pasajeros (2 years ago)
be able to enjoy one of its famous hot springs although you can get an idea of what they are like by touching the water in its two fountains

rosa martinez rodriguez (3 years ago)
Wonderful place, where we can see and learn something about the reason for the appearance of the Roman Baths.

Jorge Juan Morante (3 years ago)
In this center he explains the origin of the city of Ourense through the hot springs.

_hugo __28 (3 years ago)
Hello good, I've gone with my cousins and I've seen father cris doing 5 still turkey I don't know how this event can be allowed in a cultural site and worst of all another day I still saw a guy groping in the supposed exhibition area very bad job of these guys ????

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Photo from Flickr, copyright caminanteK

Historic Site of the week

Château de Foix

The Château de Foix dominates the town of Foix. An important tourist site, it is known as a centre of the Cathars. Built on an older 7th-century fortification, the castle is known from 987. In 1002, it was mentioned in the will of Roger I, Count of Carcassonne, who bequeathed the fortress to his youngest child, Bernard. In effect, the family ruling over the region were installed here which allowed them to control access to the upper Ariège valley and to keep surveillance from this strategic point over the lower land, protected behind impregnable walls.

In 1034, the castle became capital of the County of Foix and played a decisive role in medieval military history. During the two following centuries, the castle was home to Counts with shining personalities who became the soul of the Occitan resistance during the crusade against the Albigensians.

Ourense Provincial Archaeological Museum

Address

Details

More Information

Rating

Interesting Sites Nearby

User Reviews

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Finest Norman castles in Italy

Exploring the History of Northern Poland

Discovering Slovenia's Historic Wonders

Historic Site of the week

Château de Foix