Museo Diocesano Barbastro-Monzón

About the museum

The museum's collection began to be gathered at the beginning of the 20th century. In the 1940s, rural exodus and problems of custody and security brought important pieces from parishes in the diocese to the Bishop's Palace, and the transfer of works continued in the 1950s. In May 1966 the vestments and goldsmiths' work of the cathedral were added, and the name Museo Diocesano was adopted, with the collection installed in rooms above the Sacristía Mayor.

The current building is the former Palacio Episcopal, a group of houses that the town council bought at the end of the 16th century as a residence for the bishops. After centuries of decline, the diocese, the town council and the Government of Aragón promoted its refurbishment: the master plan was drawn up in 1999, and the architect José Miguel Ferrando designed a radical reform that kept three façades, the alfarjes (coffered timber ceilings) and the bishop's chapel, and rebuilt the entire interior. The works, awarded in 2006, lasted four years, and the museum design was implemented in 2010.

The museum occupies 900 m² across three levels and brings together around 300 works of goldsmiths' work, textiles, painting and sculpture, from Romanesque to Baroque, from the parishes of eastern Alto Aragón and the cathedral chapter. Among the most outstanding pieces are the Pantocrátor de Vió, the mitre of the abbot of San Victorián, the lipsanothecae (reliquaries) of Bibiles, Gothic panels by Benabarre and Blasco de Grañén, and an 18th-century set of apostles and reliquary busts.

Highlights

• Rehabilitated Bishop's Palace with a contemporary interior across three levels
• Pantocrátor de Vió (13th century) and mitre of the abbot of San Victorián (12th century)
• Collection of lipsanothecae from the 11th to the 16th century
• Gothic panels by Pedro García de Benabarre and Blasco de Grañén
• Goldsmiths' room with chalices, monstrances and processional crosses

Permanent exhibition

• Colección de arte sacro del Alto Aragón oriental – Around 300 works of goldsmiths' work, textiles, painting and sculpture, from Romanesque to Baroque, across three levels of the former Bishop's Palace.

Founded

1966

Operated by

Diócesis de Barbastro-Monzón

Admission & discounts

For special discounts, please contact the museum.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials
• Audio description: no information

Step-free route for wheelchair users, with rest benches, a wheelchair loan and a parking space for people with reduced mobility. The lift has raised and Braille buttons and an audible announcement. There are audioguides, QR codes on the main pieces, an easy-read kit, an induction loop and pictogram signage.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

The museum is on Plaza de Palacio, next to Barbastro Cathedral.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events

Up to 150 guests.

The auditorium (36 people), the temporary exhibition room next to the foyer and the outdoor Plaza Sur (150 people) can be hired. Hire of the assembly hall costs €250 + VAT during opening hours and €300 + VAT outside them; events include a guided visit to the collection.

Plan your visit