Museo de las Ciencias de Castilla-La Mancha

About the museum

The Museo de las Ciencias de Castilla-La Mancha opened its doors in 1999 on the Plaza de la Merced in the old town of Cuenca, and has been renovated periodically since then. The complex brings together several buildings: the former Convento de la Merced, which preserves archaeological remains; the former Casa-Asilo de las Hermanitas de los Ancianos Desamparados, built over medieval remains and remains from the 18th and 19th centuries; and a 15th-century tower fortress on Calle Mosén Diego de Valera.

The visit begins in the former choir of the convent, where a touchscreen presents well-known scientists, and visitors can see beneath the building the archaeological history of the city and ceramics from the 15th to the 19th centuries. The route includes “La Máquina del Tiempo” (The Time Machine), with chronological lines and interactive modules on levers, Archimedes' screw and pendulums; “Los Tesoros de la Tierra” (The Treasures of the Earth), from the Big Bang to evolution and crystallography, with an earthquake simulator; and “Historia del Futuro” (The History of the Future), dedicated to space exploration.

The museum also has a dome planetarium with a ten-metre dome and 74 seats, an observatory with a robotic telescope and a panoramic terrace with views of the old town and the Hoz del Huécar.

Highlights

• Planetarium with 74 seats and fulldome projection
• La Máquina del Tiempo, with interactive modules
• Los Tesoros de la Tierra and earthquake simulator
• Historia del Futuro: replica habitat on Mars and a module of the ISS
• Observatory with robotic telescope and panoramic terrace

Permanent exhibitions

• La Máquina del Tiempo – Large machine with chronological lines of cosmic and human history and interactive modules on levers, Archimedes' screw and pendulums.
• Los Tesoros de la Tierra – Route from the Big Bang through the origin of the Earth, evolution and crystallography, with an earthquake simulator and sections on the Moon and Mars.
• Historia del Futuro – Space exploration with a robot, a replica habitat for Mars, a module of the International Space Station and Earth observation from satellites.

Founded

1999

Operated by

Junta de Comunidades de Castilla-La Mancha

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Every Wednesday of the year, 18 May (International Museum Day) and 31 May (Castilla-La Mancha Day).

General admission does not include the planetarium. Free admission also applies to unemployed people, teaching staff, official tour guides, journalists and researchers with authorisation, staff of museums, archives and libraries, and other groups with accreditation.

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

Lifts, ramps and platforms in public areas, adapted toilets and free loan of wheelchairs. Guide dogs and therapy animals are admitted with accreditation.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations
• Baby changing facilities

Workshops for children and school groups; interactive modules in La Máquina del Tiempo. Baby changing facilities are available.

Getting there & parking

The museum is in the old town, and walking there is recommended.

Amenities & dining

• Wi-Fi

The café and the shop are listed on the website as “opening soon”. WiFiGO network available in the museum, with individual registration and verification.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

Up to 100 guests.

The assembly hall (100 seats), the temporary exhibition room, the Experimetarium, the laboratory, the “Biblioteca” room and the “Jesús Madero” room are available for hire. Requests to museociencias@mccm.jccm.es.

Plan your visit