Museo Naval del Barco de La Virgen
Naval museum in a replica of a 1940 nao (carrack) on the Plaza de la Alameda in Santa Cruz de La Palma, with nautical charts, models and the maritime culture of La Palma.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
El Barco de la Virgen is a replica of a nao, inspired by the Santa María, built in 1940 for the Bajada de la Virgen de las Nieves during the Lustral Festivals of La Palma. Its construction was directed by José García Romanillo, and its promoters drew on data from the Naval Museum of Seville and on the technique of the island's last sailing-boat builder. Today it is a symbol of Santa Cruz de La Palma and part of the Bajada Lustral, which takes place every five years.
The interior of the ship has functioned as a museum since 1975. It was reopened after a renovation in 2009 and again on 4 March 2022, with a new exhibition layout and audio guides in several languages. Since 2021 it has been run by a concessionary company under an agreement with the Town Council.
The collection covers around five centuries of the naval history and maritime culture of La Palma: explorers, merchants, privateers, pirates, navigators and shipbuilders. It displays nautical charts and maps, among them 18th-century charts on parchment, models of ships from local 19th-century shipyards, figureheads, logbooks, navigation instruments, photographs, shipbuilding tools and archival documents.
Highlights
- Replica of a 1940 nao on the Plaza de la Alameda
- 18th-century nautical charts on parchment
- Models of ships from local 19th-century shipyards
- Figureheads, navigation instruments and logbooks
- Audio guide in Spanish, English and German
Permanent exhibitions
- Cultura marítima de La Palma – Tour of the naval and maritime history of La Palma with nautical charts, models, figureheads, navigation instruments and documents.
- El Barco de la Virgen – The replica of the 1940 nao itself, built for the Bajada de la Virgen de las Nieves, can be visited from the inside.
- Founded
- 1975
- Operated by
- Ayuntamiento de Santa Cruz de La Palma (gestión por concesión)
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €4.50 |
|---|---|
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 11 · Children under 12 accompanied by their parents: free. |
| Groups (11+ people) | –10% discount for groups of more than 10 people. |
| Audio guide (Spanish, English and German) | €2 |
Tickets are bought at the museum box office or online. Discounts and free admission apply only to the museum visit, not to cultural or educational activities.
Accessibility
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Kids & families
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Getting there & parking
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Amenities & dining
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Events & venue rental
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Plan your visit
| Audio guide | yes (ES, EN, DE) |
|---|---|
| Photography | Flash photography is not permitted. |
| Good to know | The audio guide (€2) is recommended to complete the visit. The museum's contact details are info@museonavaldelbarco.es and hola@museonavaldelbarco.es. |
