Museu de Prehistòria de València

About the museum

The Servicio de Investigación Prehistórica (SIP) of the Diputación de València (provincial council) and its museum were founded in 1927 as a scientific institution to conserve, study and promote Valencia's archaeological heritage. From the outset the SIP carried out its own excavations at sites such as La Bastida de les Alcusses, the Cova Negra, the Cova del Parpalló and the Tossal de Sant Miquel de Llíria, which gave rise to the current collections.

Since 1982 the museum has occupied part of the former Casa de la Beneficencia, a building from 1841 whose church was decorated in 1881 in the Byzantine style. The full restoration was inaugurated in 1995, and that year the permanent rooms and the library opened to the public. The ground floor houses the temporary exhibition rooms, the educational workshops and the laboratories; the church now serves as an assembly hall.

The permanent route begins on the first floor with the Palaeolithic, the Neolithic and the Metal Ages, and continues on the second floor with Iberian Culture and the Roman World. The museum shares its building with L'ETNO and also manages the musealisation of sites such as La Bastida de les Alcusses and the Puntal dels Llops.

Highlights

• First human fossil remains from the Cova del Bolomor and engraved plaques from the Cova del Parpalló
• Cardial-decorated vessels from the Cova de l'Or (Neolithic)
• Painted Iberian vessels with figurative scenes from Sant Miquel de Llíria and lead tablets with Iberian script
• Mosaic from Font de Mussa and the Apolo de Pinedo in the Roman World room
• Free admission

Permanent exhibitions

• Sala permanente de Prehistoria – A journey through the Palaeolithic, the Neolithic and the Metal Ages in Valencian territory, with finds from caves such as Bolomor, Parpalló and the Cova de l'Or.
• Sala permanente de Cultura Ibérica – Materials from Iberian settlements and sanctuaries, including the painted vessels from Sant Miquel de Llíria and the lead tablets with Iberian script.
• Sala permanente del Mundo Romano – Pieces from the Roman and Visigothic periods in Valencian territory, such as the mosaic from Font de Mussa and the Apolo de Pinedo.

Founded

1927

Operated by

Diputación de València

Director

Helena Bonet Rosado

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Admission to the museum is free. Access to the sites of La Bastida de les Alcusses (Moixent) and the Puntal dels Llops (Olocau), which are run by the museum, is also free.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• 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

The museum states that the spaces have no architectural barriers. Wheelchairs are available at the cloakroom, there are accessible toilets, and an audio guide is available through the app “Cultura accesible”. Only assistance animals (guide dogs) are admitted.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Baby changing facilities

At the information point there is educational material for families (the booklet “Enig+”, for finding answers in the museum) and material for children with autism spectrum disorder. The museum organises visits and educational workshops. There are baby-changing facilities in the toilets.

Getting there & parking

The museum shares its entrance with L'ETNO in the La Beneficència Cultural Centre (calle Corona, 36). Charter coach and Bus Turístic stop on calle Guillem de Castro, 118.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop
• Coat check

Café and bookshop shared with the rest of the cultural centre. Information point and free cloakroom; bags and backpacks larger than 40 × 40 cm must be left in the cloakroom. Eating and drinking are not permitted in the rooms.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit