Museo Salzillo

About the museum

The Museo Salzillo was established by ministerial order in 1941 to gather and display the work of the Murcian sculptor Francisco Salzillo, and it is the city's second museum after the provincial museums. Its origins go back to the late 19th century: between 1909 and 1919 the Murcian politician Isidoro de la Cierva promoted the first projects to give the city a museum dedicated to the sculptor.

The complex is arranged around the church of Jesús, built in 1696 and seat of the Cofradía de Jesús, to which an adjoining building was added for museum use. The main façade comes from the former Riquelme palace, of the 16th century, and was placed on the building in the 1970s. The museum opened in 1960 under the direction of Juan Torres Fontes and was declared a Bien de Interés Cultural in 1962. In the following decades the complex was restored, and at the start of the 21st century the interior was remodelled; it is now very bright thanks to its skylights.

The visit goes through the building from top to bottom. In the church, decorated with paintings by Paolo Sístori from 1792 and a dome painted in 1956, Salzillo's processional floats for the Good Friday procession are displayed as the brotherhood keeps and venerates them. The museum also shows Salzillo's nativity scene in diorama form, a Neapolitan nativity, a sketch room and a re-creation of his workshop.

Highlights

• Salzillo's processional floats in the church of Jesús
• Salzillo's nativity scene, presented as a diorama
• Neapolitan nativity scene
• Sculptor's sketch room
• Paintings by Paolo Sístori and tribune room with sixteen angels bearing Passion symbols

Permanent exhibitions

• Los pasos de Salzillo – The sculptor's processional floats, among them La Cena, El Prendimiento, La Verónica, La Dolorosa and La Oración en el Huerto, are displayed in the church of Jesús as the brotherhood keeps them.
• El belén de Salzillo – The sculptor's nativity scene, set up as a diorama to recover its original narrative sense.
• Belén napolitano – Second nativity scene in the collection, installed in a room of its own in the museum.

Founded

1941

Director

José Alberto Fernández Sánchez

Admission & discounts

Free admission also for members of the Cofradía de Jesús and Friends of the Museum, with accreditation. Tickets are paid in cash or by card at the ticket office.

Accessibility

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

The route through the visit is by ramps. There are two lifts with a capacity of 8 people serving the first and second floors, and accessible toilets on the ground floor.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Baby changing facilities

Since 2005 the museum has organised educational workshops for children aged 6 to 12, mainly during the Christmas and summer holidays. Children under 13 do not pay admission. The women's toilet has a changing table.

Getting there & parking

The museum is next to the church of Jesús, on Plaza de San Agustín; the entrance indicated by the museum is at Calle Doctor Jesús Quesada Sanz, 1. From almost any point in the centre it is a walk of about 10 minutes.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop
• Coat check

Shop at the end of the visit with products from the museum, Salzillo and the Cofradía de Jesús. Left-luggage at the information desk; backpacks and umbrellas are not admitted.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events

The temporary exhibition room, audiovisual room, nativity room, teaching room and sketch room can be hired for lectures, presentations, congresses, official ceremonies, meetings, seminars, concerts and private visits. Requests must be sent at least 15 days in advance to eventos@museosalzillo.es.

Plan your visit