MARCO, Museo de Arte Contemporánea de Vigo

About the museum

The MARCO occupies a building with a hexagonal plan that was built as a public prison and later became a law court. Its construction was approved in 1861 and the works were completed in 1880. In 1990 demolition was considered in order to open a square, but opposition from architects and specialists led to its designation as a Bien de Interés Cultural with monument status.

The renovation of the building, awarded in 1995 to a team of three architects, kept the panoptic structure and transformed the former inner courtyards into large halls with glazed roofs. A central square occupies the site of the former chapel. The complex totals about 10,000 m², of which about 3,500 m² are exhibition space.

The museum opened on 13 November 2002. It is run by the Fundación MARCO, set up that same year by Vigo City Council, Caixanova, the Xunta de Galicia and the Diputación de Pontevedra; in 2006 the Ministry of Culture joined the board of trustees. Its programme, open to all current artistic media, combines exhibitions, art and film courses, educational activities and a library and documentation centre specialising in 21st-century art.

Highlights

• 19th-century monumental building, former prison and law court, converted into a museum
• Halls with glazed roofs in the former inner courtyards
• Free admission
• Library and documentation centre with about 9,600 publications on contemporary art
• Assembly hall, bookshop and restaurant-café in the same building

Founded

2002

Operated by

Fundación MARCO

Director

Miguel Fernández-Cid

Visitors per year

approx. 96,120

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Free admission.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• 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 museum is adapted for people with disabilities: two ramps to the main entrance, lifts to the first floor and adapted toilets. Two wheelchairs are available for the public. Only guide dogs are admitted.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

The museum is on calle Príncipe (pedestrian zone), next to the junction of calle Colón and calle Urzáiz. The Renfe station, on the Plaza de la Estación, is about 5 minutes’ walk away.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant
• Museum shop
• Coat check
• Lockers

Restaurant-café Mamá Elvira MARCO (Monday to Saturday, 8:30–21:00, with terrace), bookshop, ticket office with cloakroom and individual lockers. Backpacks, large bags and umbrellas may not be brought in.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Corporate events

The assembly hall, with independent access from the lobby, and other museum spaces can be hired for conferences, presentations, seminars and other events of institutions and companies. Availability is limited.

Plan your visit