Museo del Calzado
Museum on the industrial history of footwear in Elda, with machinery, historical shoes and a specialised library.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Museo del Calzado de Elda was founded in 1992, when the foundation that runs it was constituted, and it opened that same year in premises of the La Torreta vocational training institute. Its origin is linked to the role Elda has played for decades in the Spanish shoe industry and to the international footwear fair held in the town.
In 1999 the museum moved to its current seat, a building erected on the site of the former footwear fair and inaugurated on 4 February of that year. It now bears the name of José María Amat Amer. It brings together footwear, machinery, graphic material, a library and a press archive to explain how shoe manufacture shaped the industrial history of the Medio Vinalopó comarca.
The themed rooms cover the mechanisation of manufacturing, the shoe itself, the sector’s competitions and awards, and collections of historical footwear, design footwear and footwear from other cultures.
Highlights
- Machinery room with sewing and closing machines from the shoe industry
- “El zapato” room with historical footwear and the tools of traditional shoemakers
- “Zapatos con historia” collection of footwear belonging to well-known people
- Library and press archive specialising in footwear
- Accessible corner with shoe components and types of footwear to touch
Permanent exhibition
- Colecciones permanentes del calzado – Themed rooms on the machinery of the shoe industry, the shoe itself, competitions and historical and design collections.
- Founded
- 1992
- Operated by
- Fundación Cultural Privada Museo del Calzado
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €3 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €2Under 18s, over 65s, people with a disability of 33% or more, and groups of more than 15 people |
| Children & teens | €2Reduced rate for under 18s. Pupils from early years and primary schools in Elda enter free when accompanied by their teacher. |
| Seniors | €2Over 65s |
| Visitors with disabilities | €2Disability of 33% or more |
| Groups (16+ people) | €2 per personGroups of more than 15 people |
| Guided visit in Spanish (per group, with prior booking) | €20Visits in other languages: please ask the museum |
Tickets are valid all day, even if you leave and come back, and are non-refundable. Secondary, vocational and upper-secondary school pupils from Elda pay €1 when accompanied by their teacher. Card payment is accepted.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The website describes the museum as accessible without barriers. The “Accessible Corner” offers shoe components and types of footwear for people with visual impairments; guided visits for people with visual or hearing impairments require prior booking. Reserved parking space on Avenida de Chapí, 39.
Kids & families
| Time needed | approx. 60 min |
|---|
Children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult. The museum runs school competitions such as “Calzapinta” and “Calzacuenta”.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Parada de autobús junto al museo
Bus stop next to the museum, and a taxi rank also next to the museum.
By car
Parking available
Public car park Parking La Ficia, with entrance from Calle Juan de la Cierva, 4, next to the museum. Reserved space for people with reduced mobility on Avenida de Chapí, 39.
- Accessible parking
Amenities & dining
- Museum shop
Shop in the ground-floor lobby with books on footwear, key rings, miniature shoes and games.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Guided visits by prior booking, using the form on the website, by telephone or by email. Food, drink and animals are not admitted (except guide dogs). Children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult. |
