Museo Naval de San Fernando

About the museum

The idea of a naval museum in San Fernando is linked to the development of the town since 1769, when the villa of the Real Isla de León became the headquarters of the Maritime Department. Around the La Carraca dockyard the official centres were established, among them the Real Compañía de Guardias Marinas and its Academy, for which a specialised library and a museum were planned; a project of 1792 was never completed.

The museum opened in 1992 as a branch of the Museo Naval in Madrid, within the peripheral character of the naval museums located in the traditional maritime areas. Its seat was then the building of the present-day Escuela de Suboficiales de la Armada. On 8 July 2016 it moved to the current building, the former Captaincy General of the Navy of the Zona Marítima del Estrecho, with its entrance on calle Escaño and its façade on calle Real.

The building was erected after the Captaincy moved to San Fernando in 1766, was almost entirely rebuilt in 1870, restored in 1912 and inaugurated in 1913. It now houses a route of six thematic areas telling the history of the Navy in the Bay of Cádiz, with a library and audioguides.

Highlights

• Former Captaincy General of the Navy, with a courtyard of admirals' portraits
• Six areas on the Navy in the Bay of Cádiz
• Navigation and scientific instruments at the service of the Navy
• Training of sailors: Escuela Naval and training ship Juan Sebastián de Elcano
• Audioguide in Spanish, English and French
• Free admission

Permanent exhibition

• Recorrido por la historia de la Armada en la bahía de Cádiz – Six thematic areas: historical context and shipbuilding, naval wars and battles, navigation and scientific instruments, illustrious figures, the training of sailors, and the evolution of the historic units linked to the bay.

Founded

1992

Operated by

Armada Española / Fundación Museo Naval

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Free admission; a voluntary contribution towards the upkeep of the museum is requested.

Accessibility

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Kids & families

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Getting there & parking

Main entrance on calle Escaño; the building also faces calle Real, 4.

Amenities & dining

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Events & venue rental

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