MUBAG, Museo de Bellas Artes de Alicante

About the museum

The MUBAG occupies the Gravina palace, the main 18th-century noble residence in Alicante, between the Postiguet city wall and the Santa María steps. The building, constructed of stone from the Sierra de San Julián on plots left in ruins by the War of the Spanish Succession, belonged to the family of Antonio Valcárcel, Count of Lumiares.

The Diputación de Alicante acquired part of it in 1975, when it was in ruins. After its declaration as a Bien de Interés Cultural in 1985 it was restored and used as the provincial archive and an exhibition hall. Between 1996 and 2000 the Diputación received the other part of the palace, and a renovation designed by the architects Rafael Pérez, Elena Albajar and Joaquín Maseres turned it into a museum. It opened on 14 December 2001 with a collection focused on 19th- and 20th-century painting from Alicante.

In 2012 the permanent exhibition “El siglo XIX”, with holdings from the Museo Nacional del Prado, was launched; it was renewed in March 2022 under the title “El siglo XIX. La colección a la luz”. In April 2023 the museum was officially recognised as the Museo de Bellas Artes de Alicante and integrated into the Valencian Museum System (Sistema Valenciano de Museos).

The permanent collection brings together more than 80 pieces, including paintings, sculptures and decorative arts by artists such as Antonio Gisbert, Joaquín Agrasot and Emilio Sala. The museum also organises temporary exhibitions and educational activities.

Highlights

• Palacio Gravina, an 18th-century Baroque noble residence
• Permanent exhibition “El siglo XIX. La colección a la luz”
• Works by Antonio Gisbert, Joaquín Agrasot and Emilio Sala
• Works from the Museo Nacional del Prado included in the permanent exhibition
• Free admission

Permanent exhibition

• El siglo XIX. La colección a la luz – Permanent exhibition with more than 80 works (painting, sculpture and decorative arts) that reviews the themes of 19th-century Spanish art.

Founded

2001

Operated by

Diputación de Alicante

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 has lifts and ramps to access the galleries, and toilets for people with reduced mobility. Only guide dogs are admitted. There is a public lift on the avenida Juan Bautista Lafora, opposite the Postiguet beach.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

The museum organises educational visits and activities for families and babies (the Mus’n’babies cycle). Minors must be accompanied by an adult.

Getting there & parking

Address: calle Gravina, 13–15. Vehicles access via the calle Vázquez de Mella; the old town is best explored on foot.

Amenities & dining

• Café: not available
• Coat check
• Lockers

Cloakroom service, compulsory for umbrellas, backpacks and large bags (leaving luggage is not permitted). The museum has a rest area with drink and coffee machines.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit