Museo de Arte e Historia de Zarautz

About the museum

The museum occupies the bell tower of the church of Santa María la Real, which together with the parish church and the archaeological site forms the Conjunto Arqueológico y Monumental de Santa María la Real (Archaeological and Monumental Complex). It is municipally owned and is visited together with the site and the medieval necropolis preserved beneath the tower.

The bell tower is the oldest building in the town: it was built in the 15th century and a section was added in the 18th century. Although its original use is unknown, its thick walls and arrow-slit-shaped windows suggest a defensive function. The Gothic parish church began to be built at the end of the 15th century and was reformed in the 16th century; it contains a baroque altarpiece and the tomb of Lope Martínez de Zarauz, counsellor of Henry IV of Castile. The tower clock dates from 1910, and its maintenance has been the responsibility of the town council since 1962.

Several occupation levels have been documented at the site, from the Iron Age to the modern period, with especially important remains from the Roman period and a medieval necropolis. The visit allows visitors to learn the history of the Basque coast, from the Iron Age and the Roman period to the Middle Ages, and recalls Zarautz’s past as a whaling town between the 13th and 16th centuries.

Highlights

• Archaeological site with remains from the Iron Age to the modern period
• Medieval necropolis beneath the bell tower, visited over a glass floor
• 15th-century bell tower, the oldest building in the town
• Tower clock from 1910
• Complementary guided tour of Zarautz’s old town

Permanent exhibitions

• Yacimiento arqueológico de Santa María la Real – Occupation levels from the Iron Age to the modern period, with notable Roman remains and a medieval necropolis beneath the bell tower.
• Museo de Arte e Historia en el campanario – Exhibition on the history of the Basque coast from the Iron Age and the Roman period to the Middle Ages, including Zarautz’s whaling past.

Operated by

Ayuntamiento de Zarautz

Admission & discounts

Free and guided visits to the Santa María la Real complex cost the same (€2.20). Booking is not required, but is recommended.

Accessibility

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Kids & families

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Getting there & parking

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Amenities & dining

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Events & venue rental

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