Museo Carmelitano (CARMUS)
Museum of the Discalced Carmelite convent in Alba de Tormes, beside the tomb of Saint Teresa, with devotional art, goldsmith's work and painting.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Saint Teresa of Jesus founded the Discalced Carmelite convent of Alba de Tormes in 1571 and died there in 1582. In the church her tomb and relics are venerated, among them her heart and an arm.
The museum, called CARMUS, brings together the works of art and objects that were kept in the enclosure. In March 2012 its first area opened, made up of the camarines (rooms behind the altar) of the church and the Duke's staircase, and on 16 June 2014 the new four-storey building was inaugurated, designed by the architect Jesús Gascón Bernal.
The collection exceeds 800 pieces of painting, sculpture, furniture, banners, liturgical ornaments, ceramics and goldsmith's work, with works that arrived by the Manila Galleon route. The visit includes an audiovisual presentation and the room of Saint Teresa, with her cell.
Highlights
- Camarines and tomb of Saint Teresa
- Room of Saint Teresa and her cell
- Goldsmith's work and pieces from the Manila Galleon
- Paintings by Luis de Morales and Palmezzano
- Dolorosa by Pedro de Mena
- Liturgical ornaments and banners
Permanent exhibition
- Colección permanente de CARMUS – More than 800 pieces of devotional art, goldsmith's work, ornaments, banners, painting and sculpture from the enclosure, arranged around the camarines and the tomb of Saint Teresa.
- Founded
- 2012
- Operated by
- Carmelitas Descalzas de Alba de Tormes
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €5 |
|---|---|
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 5 · Children under 6 accompanied by their family: free. |
| Groups (11+ people) | €4 per personGroups of more than 10 people with individual audio guides; with a guided visit by CARMUS staff, €5. |
| Group with own guide and own system | €4 |
| Group with own guide and hire of the CARMUS system | €4.50 |
| Group with guided visit by CARMUS staff | €5 |
Admission includes an audio guide, the audiovisual presentation and the visit to the room of Saint Teresa. Payment in cash or by card (minimum €10 by card). Accompanying guides of groups do not pay.
Accessibility
- Partially wheelchair accessible
- Elevator
- 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
Ramp and lift in the new building; the historic camarines areas have stairs.
Kids & families
| Time needed | approx. 50 min |
|---|---|
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 5 |
Getting there & parking
The museum is next to the church and the convent (Plaza Santa Teresa, 6). Parking is not allowed in Plaza Santa Teresa.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Museum shop
- Coat check
- Lockers
Shop in the new area; large bags are left at the ticket desks in reception.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Audio guide | yes (ES, EN, PT, FR, DE, IT, KO) |
| Photography | Flash, tripods and video are not allowed. No photography when people are praying in the tomb's camarín. |
| Good to know | Online booking is recommended, especially for groups; without a booking, access and explanations by staff are not guaranteed. Silence is requested, appropriate clothing is required and children must be accompanied. The upper camarín admits a maximum of 30 people. On busy feast days the visit may be shortened or restricted. |
