Museo Municipal de la Cuchillería de Albacete

About the museum

The Museo Municipal de la Cuchillería is housed in the Casa de Hortelano, a building of Gothic eclecticism with a façade of green tiles, designed by the architect Daniel Rubio in 1912 for Joaquín Hortelano, opposite the cathedral of Albacete. Over the years it was a foundling home (casa cuna), the seat of the Social Council of the University of Castilla-La Mancha and of the Local Police, until the town council adapted it as a museum according to a 2003 project. Works began in 2004 and the museum opened in September of that year.

The collection reflects Albacete's cutlery tradition, documented since the 15th century and at its most splendid in the 18th century. It brings together clasp knives (navajas), knives, daggers and scissors, among them five hundred navajas from the 17th to 19th centuries from the Colección Fundación Caja Castilla-La Mancha, the knife collection of Javier Conde, and pieces awarded at the regional competition of the association APRECU.

In 2011 the section dedicated to the craftsman's workshop was opened, which made it possible to display ethnological holdings donated by cutlery families. The museum also has a hands-on area, a historical route, a documentation centre, a library and rooms for temporary exhibitions.

Highlights

• Five hundred navajas from the 17th to 19th centuries (Colección Fundación Caja Castilla-La Mancha)
• “Sala de los Cuchillos” (Knives Room) with the collection of Javier Conde
• Craftsman's workshop with tools from the 1960s and an audiovisual
• Hands-on area to see and touch cutlery materials
• Casa de Hortelano, a 1912 building with a green-tiled façade

Permanent exhibitions

• Sala CCM: Colección Fundación Caja Castilla-La Mancha – Five hundred navajas from the 17th to 19th centuries, from various Spanish towns and other countries, giving an overview of European cutlery production.
• Sala de los Cuchillos: Colección Javier Conde – Knives, daggers, almaradas and puntillas (types of knife) from the 17th to 20th centuries, most of them made by craftsmen from Albacete.
• Taller del Artesano – Recreation of a cutlery workshop with tools and materials from the 1960s, with an audiovisual on the handmade production of navajas and knives.

Founded

2004

Operated by

Ayuntamiento de Albacete

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Wednesdays.

Free admission also for ICOM members with a membership card, official tour guides in the exercise of their profession and the museum's cultural volunteers.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• 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 main entrance, in the Casa de Hortelano, is at street level with no steps; the extension building has a ramp. There are lifts with capacity for 8 people, with visual numbering and Braille and raised-relief signage. Information and emergency signage uses approved pictograms.

Kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations

The museum runs educational workshops for children, young people and adults. In the hands-on area visitors can see and touch materials and tools used to make knives and clasp knives.

Getting there & parking

Address: Plaza de la Catedral, s/n, 02001 Albacete.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Shop with museum products, some cutlery items, specialist publications and an online shop. Domestic companion animals are admitted (check exceptions). Backpacks and bags larger than 30 × 30 cm, umbrellas (except folding ones), food and drink are not allowed.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

Temporary exhibition room of 175 m² and multipurpose room of 60 m², for exhibitions, courses, lectures, presentations, concerts and other events, on request.

Plan your visit