Museo Comarcal Velezano Miguel Guirao

About the museum

The Museo Comarcal Velezano Miguel Guirao occupies the former Hospital Real of Vélez-Rubio, a civil Baroque building erected from 1765 around a square courtyard with eight Tuscan columns. In the 19th century it was occupied by French troops and had a variety of uses: poorhouse, maternity home, barracks, school, theatre and academy. Between 1887 and the 1960s it served as a home for the needy. Between 1988 and 1991 a training workshop (escuela taller) restored it for use as a museum.

The idea for the museum came from Miguel Guirao Pérez and his family, who had gathered an archaeological collection over many years. On 22 November 1991 the Guirao-Piñeyro foundation was established, and the family undertook to donate that collection to the town council, together with books, fossils and folk art pieces. The museum is run by the municipality and serves the whole regional area (Chirivel, María, Vélez-Blanco and Vélez-Rubio). Since 1997 it has been part of the Red de Museos de Andalucía (Andalusian Museum Network).

Its thousands of pieces come mainly from archaeological sites in the south-east of the peninsula and in the Los Vélez region. There is also Saharan lithic industry and ethnological objects. The route is chronological. It begins with the evolution of species and the natural environment, continues with prehistory, the peoples who came to the peninsula, the Iberian world and the Roman, Islamic and medieval periods, and ends with the life and customs of Vélez-Rubio.

Highlights

• Archaeological collection of the Guirao family
• Chronological route from prehistory to the Middle Ages
• Saharan lithic industry
• Baroque building of the former Hospital Real, dating from 1765
• Temporary exhibition room and tourist office in the same building

Permanent exhibition

• Colecciones del museo: del medio natural a la vida tradicional de Vélez-Rubio – Chronological route through the natural environment, prehistory, the Iberians, and the Roman, Islamic and medieval periods, with a final section on the customs of Vélez-Rubio.

Founded

1991

Operated by

Ayuntamiento de Vélez Rubio y Patronato Familia Guirao Piñeyro

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Free admission.

Accessibility

• 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

The building has an internal lift and access ramps and is adapted for people with disabilities.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Souvenir shop with regional publications.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit