Museo de Arte Africano Arellano Alonso

About the museum

The museum belongs to the Fundación Alberto Jiménez-Arellano Alonso, linked to the University of Valladolid, and is housed in the Palacio de Santa Cruz, the former Colegio de Santa Cruz, in the heart of the city. It presents itself as the only museum in Spain dedicated to this subject and as a European reference, thanks to its collection of terracotta sculptures, traditional currencies and the Kingdom of Oku in Cameroon.

The route is spread over three spaces. The Salón de Rectores displays traditional African currencies, from non-metallic money to worked metals. The Sala Renacimiento, with original coffered ceilings from the late 15th century, houses one of the largest public collections of sub-Saharan terracottas, from cultures such as Nok, Ife, Edo, Djenné, Bura, Komaland, Jukun, Ewe, Mambila, Mangbetu and Bakongo, and an exceptional group of six horse riders. The Sala de San Ambrosio is devoted to the Kingdom of Oku, with regalia, a royal portico, masks of secret societies, musical instruments and utensils of traditional medicine.

The foundation completes the visit with an educational programme, publications, a library and the podcast “África Inspira”, which offers a view of the continent free of clichés.

Highlights

• One of the largest public collections of sub-Saharan terracottas
• Group of six terracotta horse riders, a very unusual set
• Collection of traditional African currencies in the Salón de Rectores
• Kingdom of Oku (Cameroon) with regalia, royal portico and masks
• Sala Renacimiento with original coffered ceilings from the 15th century
• Free admission

Permanent exhibitions

• Salón de Rectores: monedas tradicionales africanas – Traditional money of sub-Saharan Africa, from agricultural products, shells and salt to ingots, bars and worked metal objects.
• Sala Renacimiento: terracotas africanas tradicionales – Terracotta sculptures from the cultures of the Niger and Congo rivers, including Nok, Ife, Edo and Djenné, with a group of six horse riders.
• Sala de San Ambrosio: Reino de Oku (Camerún) – Regalia, royal portico, masks of secret societies, musical instruments and utensils of traditional medicine of the Kingdom of Oku.

Founded

2004

Operated by

Fundación Alberto Jiménez-Arellano Alonso (Universidad de Valladolid)

Director

Cristina Bayo

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Free admission.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The Salón de Rectores and the Sala Renacimiento are fully accessible. The Sala de San Ambrosio (Kingdom of Oku) is accessible only from Monday to Friday, with prior contact with the museum, and the gallery of the Sala de San Ambrosio (ethnographic objects) is not accessible. Visitors can enter with a wheelchair or pushchair, and guide dogs are admitted.

Kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Stroller-friendly

The educational programme includes educational routes and workshops for children and families, and the foundation organises activities such as “Narradores de historias para toda la familia”.

Getting there & parking

On foot, the museum is a couple of minutes from Plaza de la Universidad along calle de la Librería. There is a taxi rank on the square itself, bicycle parking and a municipal bicycle hire point (Biki).

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit