Museo de Las Encartaciones
Museum in the former Casa de Juntas de Abellaneda, tracing the history of Las Encartaciones from prehistory to the 19th century. Free admission.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Casa de Juntas de Abellaneda was for centuries the seat of the Juntas Generales of Las Encartaciones, where representatives of the councils of the region met. The meetings were originally held beside an oak tree, and in 1590 construction of the present house began. The Juntas continued until 1801, when Las Encartaciones were fully integrated into the Juntas Generales de Bizkaia. At the end of the 19th century the building was in ruins and it was restored in 1901.
The museum opened to the public on 26 July 1934, after a refurbishment by the architect Diego Basterra. In 1968 it reopened under the name Museo de la Casa de Juntas de Avellaneda, after an intervention by Eugenio de Aguinaga, who gave the building the look of a tower with battlements. Between 1989 and 1994 the interior was completely renovated and a new block was added at the front; the current museum was inaugurated on 26 October 1994 and belongs to the Juntas Generales de Bizkaia.
The permanent exhibition brings together maps, plans, models, original pieces and reproductions that show the life, history, art and architecture of the region from prehistory to the 19th century. The museum also carries out research, publishes, organises temporary exhibitions and runs an educational programme.
Highlights
- Historic building of the former Casa de Juntas de Abellaneda
- Tour of the history of Las Encartaciones from prehistory to the 19th century
- Rooms devoted to Romanisation, the Middle Ages and the founding of towns
- Room on the institutions of Las Encartaciones and the Juntas Generales
- Free admission
Permanent exhibition
- Colección permanente: historia de Las Encartaciones – Rooms devoted to prehistory, Romanisation, the High and Late Middle Ages, the founding of towns, the institutions and the Ancien Régime in Las Encartaciones, with original pieces, models and reproductions.
- Founded
- 1934
- Operated by
- Juntas Generales de Bizkaia
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
| Groups | –Groups must arrange an appointment by telephone. One responsible person is required for every 15–20 people; larger groups are split and visit separately. |
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Free admission.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
- Family tours & workshops
The museum runs educational activities, storytelling sessions and other activities; the school-year programme is published on its website.
Getting there & parking
By car
Parking available
The museum has parking next to the building and two spaces with electric vehicle charging points (Mennekes and Schuko connectors).
From Bilbao there are two road routes. The shorter one leaves the A-8 at Balmaseda, follows the Cadagua corridor (BI-636) to the Zalla exit, continues along the BI-6302 to Otxaran and reaches the museum via the BI-2701. The second takes the A-8 towards Santander as far as the Gallarta exit, continues to Muskiz and covers about twelve kilometres on the BI-2701 towards Balmaseda.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
There are two spaces with electric vehicle charging points next to the museum.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| School programs | yes |
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| Good to know | The museum offers a virtual visit and a programme of educational activities per school year. Groups must request an appointment by telephone. |
