Museo Tiflológico
ONCE museum designed to be seen and touched, with models of monuments, works by blind artists and tiflological material.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Museo Tiflológico was created by the ONCE in 1992. Its name comes from the Greek word “typhlós”, meaning blind. It presents itself as a museum to see and touch and as one of the most accessible museums in the world.
Its holdings are divided into five areas: models and reproductions of national and international monuments, works by blind artists or artists with severe visual impairment, sculptures by artists without severe visual impairment, tiflological material and bibliographic material. The collection of books in braille and in raised characters is considered one of the most important in its field, and another room traces the history of the ONCE lottery ticket.
The models are designed to make tactile reading easier, and that purpose determines the choice of materials and dimensions. The exhibits carry labels in braille and large print, and QR codes offering accessible information via mobile phone. There are also free audio guides at two levels: one that follows the tactile route of the model and another on the style and period of the monument.
The museum organises guided tours, dramatised tours, workshops, virtual visits and combined visits with the Museo Arqueológico Nacional.
Highlights
- Models of national and international monuments to touch
- Works by blind artists and artists with severe visual impairment
- Collection of books in braille and raised print
- Room on the history of the ONCE lottery ticket
- Free audio guides with tactile description of each model
Permanent exhibitions
- Reproducciones de monumentos – Models of national and international monuments designed for tactile reading, with free audio guides at two levels.
- Obras de arte – Works by blind artists or artists with severe visual impairment and sculptures by artists without severe visual impairment.
- Material tiflológico, libros e historia del cupón – Tiflological material, an important collection of braille and raised-print books, and pieces on the history of the ONCE lottery ticket.
- Founded
- 1992
- Operated by
- ONCE (Organización Nacional de Ciegos Españoles)
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
Free admission.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: no information
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The museum is designed as a space to see and touch: the pieces carry the notice “Touching permitted”, and the labels are in braille and large print, with QR codes for accessible information. There are free audio guides.
Kids & families
- Hands-on stations
The pieces can be touched. The guided tour of the monument models is recommended for children from age 10.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Metro Estrecho
Metro: Estrecho (line 1). EMT buses: 3, 43, 124, 126 and 128.
Amenities & 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
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 75 min |
|---|---|
| Audio guide | yes |
| Good to know | Individual free visits do not require a booking; free group visits require a prior booking. Guided tours are free and for groups of at least 10 people with prior booking (by phone or email): Tuesday to Friday at 10:30, 12:00 and 17:00, lasting about 1 hour and 15 minutes. They can focus on the monument models (from age 10) or on tiflological material (young people and adults). There is also a virtual visit on the website. |
