Museo Etnológico de la Huerta

About the museum

The museum opened in 1968 to show the traditions and folklore of the Murcian huerta, although its origins go back to the late 19th century. The project was finally promoted at the I Semana de Estudios Murcianos in 1963. Alcantarilla was chosen for its location in the centre of the huerta, at a crossroads of irrigation channels (acequias) and near landmarks such as the noria (water wheel) and the aqueduct. The archaeologist Manuel Jorge Aragoneses, director of the Museo Provincial de Murcia, advised on the project.

The route recreates village houses, a schoolroom and a pharmacy with authentic medicines, and brings together costumes, farm implements, pottery and a hydraulic system, as well as a barraca, the traditional house of the huerta. Among the most notable pieces are the Libro de la Rueda (Book of the Wheel) of 1850 and the conch-shell horn (caracol) that announced floods. The floor reproduces a map of the huerta from 1809, and there is a tribute to the Consejo de Hombres Buenos (Council of Wise Men), which has settled irrigation disputes since 1848.

After a year closed for refurbishment, financed with NextGenerationEU funds, the museum reopened on 22 July 2026. It unveils the first 360º immersive room in the Region of Murcia, with seven period carriages, including the one used by Santiago Ramón y Cajal. The museum also has a teaching room and a bridge over the Turbedal irrigation channel that connects it to the Parque del Acueducto (Aqueduct Park). The visitable area covers 30,000 square metres.

Highlights

• First 360º immersive room in the Region of Murcia
• Carriage room, including the one used by Santiago Ramón y Cajal
• Barraca, village houses, school and pharmacy recreated
• Alcantarilla noria and restored irrigation machinery
• Map of the huerta from 1809 on the floor and the Libro de la Rueda of 1850
• Link to the Parque del Acueducto

Permanent exhibitions

• Recorrido por la huerta – Barraca, village houses, school and pharmacy recreated, with costumes, farm implements and pottery, and the noria and other traditional irrigation machinery.
• Sala inmersiva 360º – Projection of about five minutes on the walls and floor, telling the story of the huerta of Murcia and the Segura river.
• Sala de carruajes – Seven period carriages with their harnesses, including the one used by Santiago Ramón y Cajal on his visits to Alcantarilla.

Founded

1968

Operated by

Ayuntamiento de Alcantarilla

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Free admission.

Accessibility

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

The 2026 refurbishment includes universal accessibility improvements throughout the route: tactile floor surfaces, Braille signage on the information totems and QR codes with additional information.

Kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

The museum runs summer workshops for children and has a teaching room in the former weaving mill (Tejeduría) building.

Getting there & parking

The museum is on Avenida Príncipe, integrated into the Parque del Acueducto, which is reached over a bridge across the Turbedal irrigation channel.

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