Museo de las Brujas

About the museum

The Museo de las Brujas in Zugarramurdi, in the Montaña de Navarra, tells the story of the Inquisition trial that the village went through in the 17th century. Many visitors come attracted by the legends about witches, but the museum wants to set aside stereotypes and be a place of memory and mourning for the women and men accused, who were caught up in fantastical tales and ultimately burned at the stake, victims of a wave of panic and of an Inquisition that needed to assert its authority.

Across three floors, with audiovisuals, stage sets and interactive screens, the museum portrays Basque society of the 17th century, with its lights and shadows, and explains everyday life at the time. It also explores Basque mythology, with Mari and Aker as protagonists, medicinal plants, and the ancestral rituals linked to folk medicine and pagan festivals. On the third floor the artistic installation ORO/TOTALIDAD by Agurtzane Anduetza, a resident of Zugarramurdi, is presented. It is inspired by the magic formula “over all the brambles, under all the clouds”, which according to legend was used to fly to the witches' sabbath (aquelarre).

The museum draws on the work of researchers such as Julio Caro Baroja, José Miguel de Barandiarán, Florencio Idoate and Gustav Henningsen. It is run by the company Zugarramurdiko Garapena and shares its reception with the village's tourist office; the Zugarramurdi cave is visited alongside it.

Highlights

• Inquisition witch trial of the 17th century explained across three floors
• Audiovisuals, stage sets and interactive screens
• Basque mythology: Mari, Aker, medicinal plants and rituals
• ORO/TOTALIDAD art installation by Agurtzane Anduetza
• Accessibility with lift, induction loops, NaviLens and easy-read documents
• Discounted ticket for also visiting the Zugarramurdi cave

Permanent exhibition

• Exposición permanente sobre la brujería y la Inquisición en Zugarramurdi – Three floors with audiovisuals and stage sets on the 17th-century Inquisition trial, Basque society of the period, and mythology and popular rituals.

Founded

2007

Operated by

Zugarramurdiko Garapena S. L.

Admission & discounts

Visitors who also go to the Zugarramurdi cave (€6.50 adults, €4.50 children aged 6 to 11) get a €1 discount on admission to the second attraction. There are exemptions and special rates for local residents, industry professionals, minors, people over 65, people with disabilities, families and groups, always with proof and subject to capacity; discounts cannot be combined. Booking tickets online is recommended.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials
• Audio description: no information

Entrance, three floors and reception desk are accessible, with an adapted lift, an accessible toilet and reserved parking near the door. The desk has an induction loop, and there are 22 portable loops for guided tours. There are sign language videos (Spanish and French sign language), two NaviLens codes with spoken information, high-contrast and Braille signage, a tactile book, an accessible interactive kiosk and easy-read documents in Spanish, Basque and French.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

From the car park it is about a 10-minute walk via Beitikokarrika street, which is a pedestrian zone and gives no vehicle access to the museum or the cave. Taxi service is available in Baztan-Bortziriak.

Amenities & dining

The Zugarramurdi tourist office is at the museum's reception.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit