Museo Pilarista
Museum inside the Basilica del Pilar with jewels, crowns and mantles offered to the Virgin of the Pilar, as well as sketches for the paintings in the church.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Museo Pilarista displays the jewels and objects that institutions, public figures and devotees have offered to the Virgin of the Pilar for centuries. It opened in 1977, when the Cabildo Metropolitano de Zaragoza adapted a former prayer room of the basilica, next to the chapels of San Lorenzo and San Joaquín, for exhibition.
The treasure suffered major losses: the French plunder after the Sieges of Zaragoza carried off many of its best pieces, and several auctions, above all the one held in Paris in 1869, served to fund works in the basilica. Some jewels from those sales ended up in the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.
Twelve display cases show Aragonese silverwork, liturgical and devotional objects, crowns for the Virgin and the Child, and a selection of mantles. Highlights include the crown from the canonical coronation of 1905, a small 16th-century book of hours, an ivory olifant, an autograph letter of Saint Teresa, chalices given by Popes Pius X and John XXIII, and a wooden model of the Santa Capilla from 1754, the work of Ventura Rodríguez. Sketches by Goya for the dome Regina Martyrum are also on display.
Highlights
- Crown from the canonical coronation of the Virgin in 1905
- Ivory olifant of Gastón de Bearn, the first documented donation to the Virgin
- 16th-century book of hours of Saint Elizabeth of Portugal
- Autograph letter of Saint Teresa de Jesús
- Wooden model of the Santa Capilla by Ventura Rodríguez (1754)
- Sketches by Goya for the dome Regina Martyrum
Permanent exhibition
- Joyas y mantos de la Virgen del Pilar – Twelve display cases with Aragonese silverwork, devotional objects, crowns, a selection of mantles and sketches for the basilica's paintings.
- Founded
- 1977
- Operated by
- Cabildo Metropolitano de Zaragoza
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €10 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €7Young people aged 13 to 18 and holders of the Carnet Joven or student card up to age 25 |
| Children & teens | €7free up to age 11 · Free for children under 12 accompanied by an adult. |
| Seniors | €9People aged 65 and over. |
| Visitors with disabilities | €9Disability of 33% or more: €9; 50% or more: free admission. |
| Students & apprentices | €7With student card, up to age 25. |
| Groups (20+ people) | €7 per personGroups of 20 or more people, without audio guide. |
| Cathedral and Torre Mirador del Pilar | €12Young people €9, seniors and people with disabilities €11, groups €9. |
| Torre Mirador del Pilar only | €6Young people €4, seniors €5, groups €4; rate of €5 for residents of Aragon. |
The museum is not sold separately: the “Catedral” ticket for €10 includes La Seo, the Museo de Tapices, the Rosario de Cristal and the Museo Pilarista. La Seo has free admission on certain dates for residents of Aragon with proof of residence.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
The museum is inside the Basilica del Pilar, next to the chapels of San Lorenzo and San Joaquín.
Get directionsAmenities & 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
| Audio guide | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Admission includes an audio guide; group rates do not include it. Bookings: reservascatzaragoza@artisplendore.com. |
