Museo de las Amas de Cría Pasiegas
Ethnographic museum in Selaya, next to the Valvanuz sanctuary, dedicated to the Pasiego women who emigrated as wet nurses, with photographs from 1880 to 1936 and period costumes.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Museo de las Amas de Cría Pasiegas opened on 23 March 2007 in the Marcial Zamanillo room of the Casa de la Beata, next to the sanctuary of Nuestra Señora de Valvanuz, in Selaya. The house, which according to tradition housed the person in charge of looking after the sanctuary, was rebuilt around 1990 and now functions as a centre for exhibitions and lectures. The museum is run by the Cofradía de la Virgen de Valvanuz (brotherhood of the Virgin of Valvanuz) and seeks to recognise the historical role of the Pasiego wet nurses and to turn their legacy into cultural heritage.
In the mid-19th century, poverty in the Pas valleys pushed many young women to emigrate to nurse other people's children. Because of their strength they became the most sought-after wet nurses of nobles, the bourgeoisie and the Royal Household itself, and several of them nursed infants of the Spanish royal family. Palace doctors travelled to the area to select the candidates, who had to meet strict requirements of age, health and conduct.
The collection includes around 300 photographs of wet nurses from 1880 to 1936, many of them alongside the children they raised, as well as panels explaining the requirements, the characteristic costumes they wore, and a library with pamphlets and bibliographic holdings. The Casa de la Beata also keeps other photographs and reproductions covering the history of Selaya.
Highlights
- Around 300 photographs of Pasiego wet nurses, from 1880 to 1936
- Characteristic costumes of the Pasiego wet nurses
- Panels on the requirements to become a wet nurse and the role of palace doctors
- Portraits of wet nurses of infants of the royal family
- Next to the sanctuary of Nuestra Señora de Valvanuz
Permanent exhibition
- Las amas de cría pasiegas – Photographs, costumes, panels and documents on the Pasiego women who were wet nurses to families of the nobility and the Royal Household.
- Founded
- 2007
- Operated by
- Cofradía de la Virgen de Valvanuz
Admission & discounts
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
The museum is in the Casa de la Beata, next to the sanctuary of Nuestra Señora de Valvanuz, on the outskirts of Selaya.
Get directionsAmenities & 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
| Good to know | Groups of more than 10 people need a prior booking (cofradiadevalvanuz_visitas@hotmail.com). The sanctuary of Nuestra Señora de Valvanuz can also be visited from the museum. |
|---|
