Museo Arqueológico y de Historia de Elche
Municipal museum in the Palacio de Altamira, with a tour of Elche's archaeology and history from the Neolithic to the present day.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The museum originates in the antiquities collection of the local scholar Pedro Ibarra Ruiz, which the town council acquired after the Civil War on the initiative of the archivist Alejandro Ramos Folqués. In 1940 the first municipal museum opened; it moved through several venues, including the pavilion in the Parque Municipal, until after restoration works it was installed in the Palacio de Altamira. In 1985 the Museo Arqueológico Municipal opened there, officially recognised by the Generalitat Valenciana in 1994.
The current building opened on 18 May 2006, after two years of refurbishment. It combines a new wing, which incorporates a section of the old city wall, with the manor palace, built on an earlier Muslim fortification. Excavations in the palace courtyard revealed an Almohad gate and a stretch of the Islamic city wall, which now form part of the route.
The visit is divided into two sections. The archaeology section covers the period from the Neolithic to Late Antiquity and gives special attention to Iberian culture and the site of La Alcudia, the ancient city. The history section begins with the founding of the Muslim town and runs up to the present day. In 2006 the museum hosted the Lady of Elche on loan for six months.
Highlights
- Archaeology section in the Traspalacio, with six rooms from the Neolithic to Late Antiquity
- Iberian culture: pillar-stela, bull and sphinx sculptures, decorated pottery and reconstructions of burials and houses
- Palacio de Altamira, former alcázar of the lordship, with the Almohad gate in the courtyard
- History section with models, touch screens and audiovisual projections
- Ibarra Collection, the historic foundation of the museum, with pottery and coins
Permanent exhibitions
- Sección de arqueología (Traspalacio) – Six rooms covering the period from the Neolithic to Late Antiquity, with special attention to Iberian culture and the site of La Alcudia.
- Sección de historia (Palacio de Altamira) – Tour of the city's history from the foundation of Muslim Elche to the present day, in the former manor palace.
- Founded
- 2006
- Operated by
- Ayuntamiento de Elche
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €3 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €1Students and groups of 15 or more people with prior booking (€1); Carnet Jove holders, pensioners and large families (€1.50). |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 5 · Free admission for children under 6. |
| Seniors | €1.50Pensioners. |
| Visitors with disabilities | freeFree admission for people with disabilities or reduced mobility. |
| Students & apprentices | €1Students. |
| Groups (15+ people) | €1 per personGroups of 15 or more people; prior booking required. |
| Families | €1.50Large families. |
| Museum pass (all municipal museums, 48 hours) | €8Sold at any municipal museum. |
Free admission: Every Sunday; 5 and 6 January; 18 May (International Museum Day); 15 August; 27 September (World Tourism Day); 9 October and 6 December.
Holders of the town council's gold card, teachers, practising accredited guides and members of museum associations also enter free; accreditation may be requested.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: no information
- 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 municipal tourism website shows the accessibility symbol but does not detail the facilities.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Santa María (parada nº 113)
Urban bus: lines E, F, H, J, R1, NT and R4, stop no. 113 (Santa María).
By car
Paid parking
Paid car park in the building under the museum.
Taxi rank in the Plaza de les Eres de Santa Llúcia.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Museum shop
Shop with museum publications, archaeological reproductions and stationery. Next to the museum there is a café with a terrace.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Guided visits on Saturdays and Sundays, from October to June, at 11:30 and 13:00. Reservations and enquiries by telephone on +34 966 658 203 (reception). The museum has an Educational Office (didacticamuseus@elche.es) for educational activities. |
