Museo del Castillo de Valencia de Don Juan
Museum in the keep of the Acuña family’s castle, with a route over three floors through the history of the town and its fortress.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The castle of Valencia de Don Juan, also known as the Castle of Coyanza, stands on a former hill settlement (castro) from the Bronze Age and the Roman period. At the end of the 14th century the infante Juan of Portugal, first Duke of Valencia de Campos, built a fortress on the site, and in the 15th century his heirs of the Acuña family built the present building. In 1475, during the Castilian War of Succession, the castle was besieged. It was abandoned in the mid-16th century and began to fall into ruin in the 17th century; it was declared a historic-artistic monument in 1931 and is now a Bien de Interés Cultural (Cultural Interest Asset).
In the 20th century the keep was partly rebuilt (1950–1955 and 2004–2005), the walls were consolidated (1980) and archaeological excavations were carried out with an access walkway (1987–1988). In 1998 the Fundación Instituto Valencia de Don Juan, owner of the castle, handed its use over to the town council for 75 years.
The museum opened in 2008 inside the keep, in an iron, wood and glass structure spread over three floors. It presents a chronological route through the main milestones in the history of Valencia de Don Juan and its castle.
Highlights
- Museum inside the keep
- Chronological route through the history of the town and the castle over three floors
- 15th-century fortress, Bien de Interés Cultural
- Guided visits in summer
Permanent exhibition
- Exposición permanente: historia de Valencia de Don Juan y de su castillo – A chronological route over the three floors of the keep through the main milestones of the town and the fortress.
- Founded
- 2008
- Operated by
- Ayuntamiento de Valencia de Don Juan
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €2 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €1 |
The source does not specify who is entitled to the reduced rate.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
The museum is in the Acuña castle, in Valencia de Don Juan (León). The municipal tourist office is in the Jardín de los Patos.
Get directionsAmenities & 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
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | In summer, guided sessions run every 45 minutes from opening; the last one leaves 45 minutes before closing. Information on 608 771 725 and at the tourist office (987 751 110). |
