Museo del Beato de Liébana

About the museum

The Torre del Infantado, at the confluence of the Deva and Quiviesa rivers, is the most emblematic building in Potes. It belonged to Don Tello, son of Alfonso XI, and later to Diego Hurtado de Mendoza, Duke of the Infantado. During the War of Independence it served as a refuge for the guerrillas of Liébana; afterwards it was a prison and finally the town hall. It has been a Bien de Interés Cultural (asset of cultural interest) since 1985.

After a long restoration, the Government of Cantabria opened the tower to the public on 19 March 2011. It has about 1,800 m² spread over six floors around a central courtyard; the interior combines fine woods, weathering steel and large areas of glass. The basement hosts temporary exhibitions.

The permanent exhibition “El cosmos de Beato de Liébana” (The Cosmos of Beatus of Liébana) is devoted to the 8th-century abbot of Liébana, regarded as the first writer from Cantabria, and to his Commentary on the Apocalypse. It brings together the most complete collection of Beatus facsimiles in the world, with interactive resources explaining key passages of the Apocalypse, a scriptorium and the process of making the codices. The visit ends on the battlements, with views of Potes, the Viorna mountain, the monastery of Santo Toribio and the Picos de Europa.

Highlights

• Facsimiles of Beatus manuscripts, the most complete collection in the world
• Interactive exhibition “El cosmos de Beato de Liébana”
• Medieval tower declared a Bien de Interés Cultural (asset of cultural interest)
• Battlements with views of Potes and the Picos de Europa
• Audio guides in Spanish, English, French and Italian

Permanent exhibition

• El cosmos de Beato de Liébana – Interactive exhibition on the life and work of the abbot Beatus of Liébana, with facsimiles of Beatus manuscripts, a scriptorium and explanations of passages from the Apocalypse.

Founded

2011

Operated by

Gobierno de Cantabria (Consejería de Cultura, Turismo y Deporte)

Admission & discounts

General admission €4 (over 13s). Free also for people from Liébana (with their DNI, Spanish ID card), members of ANABAD and the FAPE, and holders of the Pasaporte Cultural, on proof of eligibility.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• 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 centre states that it is adapted for people with reduced mobility. Only accredited guide dogs are admitted.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

On foot, from the Ferial, La Serna or the Jesús de Monasterio park, the town centre is reached in a few minutes; the tower's battlements can be seen from the Puente Nuevo.

Amenities & 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