Museo de la Iglesia

About the museum

The Museo de la Iglesia occupies the upper floor of the cloister of Oviedo Cathedral, an 18th-century Baroque storey built above the lower Gothic gallery. It was created in 1985 by Archbishop Gabino Díaz Merchán and opened on 25 June 1990. It belongs to the Archdiocese of Oviedo, which also manages it.

Its collections come from the cathedral itself and from about a hundred Asturian parishes. They include sculpture in stone and wood, goldsmith's work, painting and other forms of sacred art, with pieces of great historical and artistic value. Three diptychs stand out: the Byzantine one, the Romanesque diptych of Bishop Gundisalvo, from the 12th century, and the Gothic one. Also on display are a Virgen Dolorosa by Juan de Juni, the Sagrario de Santa Teresa and a facsimile of the Libro de los Testamentos.

The museum is visited with the single ticket for the cathedral complex, which also includes the cathedral itself, the Cámara Santa, the Gothic cloister and the crypt. The eight rooms are reached after climbing a staircase from the cloister.

Highlights

• Byzantine diptych
• Romanesque diptych of Bishop Gundisalvo (12th century)
• Gothic diptych
• Virgen Dolorosa by Juan de Juni
• Facsimile of the Libro de los Testamentos

Permanent exhibition

• Colección permanente del Museo de la Iglesia – Eight rooms on the upper cloister with sculpture, goldsmith's work and religious painting from the cathedral and Asturian parishes, including three medieval diptychs.

Founded

1985

Operated by

Archidiócesis de Oviedo

Admission & discounts

Free admission: On Tuesdays the Museo de la Iglesia is free, so admission to the cathedral complex costs €1 less.

The ticket covers the whole cathedral complex (cathedral, Cámara Santa, Museo de la Iglesia, Gothic cloister and crypt). On days of partial visits a reduction of €1 applies to the corresponding rate. An annual pass is available. Reductions and free admissions must be proven with a document; tickets can be bought at the cathedral reception or online.

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

There is a step-free entrance on the side of the cathedral (Tránsito de Santa Bárbara), which is opened on request at reception or by calling +34 614 490 811. The cathedral and cloister are accessible for people with reduced mobility, but the Cámara Santa and the Museo de la Iglesia are not accessible for wheelchair users. Assistance dogs are admitted. A touch screen in the cathedral shows pieces from the museum and the Cámara Santa, and there are sign-language guides in Spanish and English (videos with sign language).

Kids & families

• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide: not available
• Stroller-friendly: not available

Children under 12 enter free when accompanied by an adult. For accessibility reasons, prams cannot be taken into the Cámara Santa or the museum (reception indicates where to leave them). There is no children's audio guide yet.

Getting there & parking

The visitor entrance and the ticket office are at the cathedral reception, with access from Plaza de Alfonso II el Casto (no street number).

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop
• Coat check: not available

Souvenir shop. There is no left-luggage service; backpacks may be brought in, but not suitcases. Toilets are in the cloister.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit