Museo Casa del Reloj

About the museum

The Casa del Reloj, also called the Torre de la Vela, stands in the first fortified enclosure of Melilla la Vieja. Its origins date to the 16th and 17th centuries, when it formed part of the city's defensive system, and it takes its popular name from a bell cast in 1686 that marked the hours. Over time it served as a military store, prison, hospital and administrative office. It was restored between 1986 and 1988 and is declared a Bien de Interés Cultural.

The museum grew out of the relationship between the Consejería de Cultura (Culture Department) and the artist Andrés García Ibáñez from Almería, following an exhibition of his series “Retablos”. In December 2008 an agreement was signed to create an art gallery in Melilla, and the museum opened in September 2012 with a substantial part of the artist's private collection, donated free of charge to the Autonomous City of Melilla for a period of ten years.

The route occupies six rooms with a chronological and thematic arrangement of Spanish art from the late 18th century to the present, with painting, sculpture, drawing, printmaking and photography, and includes a selection of artists from Melilla. The building also preserves a 16th-century chapel and former cells, now restored, and the Batería Real can be reached from it. The museum also organises temporary exhibitions, talks and workshops.

Highlights

• Six rooms with a chronological tour of Spanish art from the late 18th century
• Works by artists such as Goya, Fortuny, Picasso, Dalí or Tàpies
• Modernist sculpture and contemporary art by artists from Melilla
• Documentary photography, with authors such as Carlos Pérez Siquier
• 16th-century chapel and restored former cells
• Access to the Batería Real and views of the city

Permanent exhibition

• Colección de arte moderno y contemporáneo – Six rooms with a chronological and thematic tour of Spanish art from the late 18th century, with painting, sculpture, printmaking, drawing and photography, and a section on artists from Melilla.

Founded

2012

Operated by

Ciudad Autónoma de Melilla (Consejería de Cultura)

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Free admission.

Accessibility

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Kids & families

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Getting there & parking

Melilla la Vieja has a free on-demand transport service (Monday to Friday 8:00–20:00 and Saturdays 8:00–15:00) and the Melilla la Vieja lift at the Torreón de las Cabras (Calle Cuesta de la Florentina, s/n; every day 7:45–23:00).

Amenities & dining

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Events & venue rental

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