Imprenta Municipal. Artes del Libro
Municipal museum on the history of printing, engraving and bookbinding, with working workshops and free admission, in central Madrid.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
La Imprenta Municipal. Artes del Libro, opened as a museum in December 2011, offers cultural content linked to the history of printing, the book and the associated arts. Its predecessor is the Imprenta Artesanal. It belongs to the network of Madrid Municipal Museums.
Its collection brings together more than 60,000 pieces from the graphic arts, and the museum maintains professional workshops in artistic and craft bookbinding. Its aim is to preserve and disseminate the traditional techniques of printing and bookbinding.
The permanent exhibition traces the history of printing, from hand presses of the 15th to 18th centuries to the mechanical printing that disappeared with the arrival of offset. It includes the techniques of image reproduction, such as engraving and lithography, and bookbinding. One of its key pieces is a faithful reproduction of a 16th-century press, which works and is used for demonstrations.
Highlights
- Working replica of a 16th-century printing press
- Collection of more than 60,000 graphic arts pieces
- Engraving, lithography and bookbinding techniques
- Professional workshops in craft and artistic bookbinding
- Free guided tours of the permanent exhibition
Permanent exhibition
- La impresión y el libro: una historia – Tour through the history of printing from its origins to the 20th century, with engraving and lithography techniques and bookbinding.
- Founded
- 2011
- Operated by
- Ayuntamiento de Madrid (Museos Municipales)
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
Free admission. Guided tours of the permanent exhibition are also free, with prior booking.
Accessibility
- Partially wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The facility is accessible for people with reduced mobility and has an induction loop, but it is temporarily not accessible for motorised wheelchairs.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Metro: Sol, Tirso de Molina and La Latina. Bus: lines 3, 6, 17, 18, 23, 26, 31, 32, 35, 50, 51, 60, 65 and M-1. Cercanías Renfe: Sol.
There is a BiciMAD bike station (no. 40) at Plaza de Romanones, 9.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Museum shop
- Wi-Fi
Publications shop and wifi area.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Individual visits and group visits without a guide do not require booking. Free guided tours, with prior booking, take place Tuesday to Friday at 11:30, 12:30 and 17:00 for groups of 5 to 15 people, and on the last Saturday of each month at 10:00 and 12:00 with no minimum attendance. They last between one and one and a half hours and are not held in July or August. Weekday telephone line 9:00–15:00: +34 914 294 271. |
