Museo Etnológico y Fragua de Horcajuelo

About the museum

The Museo Etnológico de Horcajuelo de la Sierra opened in 1997 in a traditional house in the village, restored faithfully following the architecture of the area: walls of slate rubble, small windows, clay and straw walls and curved roof tiles. Since then the Community of Madrid has supported its upkeep. It shows the traditional way of life of the people of the Sierra del Rincón, based on farming and livestock.

The ground floor holds objects from daily work: farm tools such as the pitchfork (horca), rake, scythe and hoe, instruments for measuring grain and preparing flour, the kneading trough (artesa) and the bread kneader, and utensils for the pig slaughter. On the first floor a traditional dwelling is recreated, with bedrooms, a living room, kitchen and bread oven, furnished with objects donated by local residents. The top floor keeps everyday and festive clothing from several municipalities, in wool and linen, with imported fabrics, coloured embroidery and mother-of-pearl buttons on the festive garments.

The guided visit includes the forge, located behind the town hall, where the old workshop of a blacksmith has been reconstructed with its utensils and tools. An audio system explains the figure of the blacksmith-forger and the processes of transforming iron. An annex of the museum serves as a room for temporary exhibitions open to artists.

Highlights

• Traditional house restored in 1997 with slate walls
• Farm tools and utensils for bread and the pig slaughter
• Traditional dwelling recreated with objects donated by residents
• Everyday and festive clothing of the Sierra del Rincón
• Reconstructed forge with audio about the blacksmith's trade

Permanent exhibitions

• Museo Etnológico: vida tradicional en la Sierra del Rincón – Three floors with farm tools, a recreated traditional dwelling and collections of everyday and festive clothing from several municipalities.
• La fragua – Reconstruction of a blacksmith's workshop with its tools and an audio system on the trade and the transformation of iron.

Founded

1997

Operated by

Ayuntamiento de Horcajuelo de la Sierra

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

The guided visit, which includes the forge, is free.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: not available
• Elevator: no information
• 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

According to the accessibility sheet for the Sierra Norte de Madrid, access to the building is not level with the outside pavement, and the museum is spread over three floors with no accessible route.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

The forge is behind the village's town hall.

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