Museos de la Atalaya

About the museum

The Palacio del Tiempo occupies a small palace of around 1860 on the La Atalaya estate, an 18,000 m² site with listed historic gardens and two twin wine-cellar halls from 1881. In 1973 a collection of 152 French clocks was acquired, which, together with two other collections, forms the current permanent display of 287 historic clocks. The collection was first shown to the public in March 1973.

After the expropriation of Rumasa, Jerez Town Council and the Diputación de Cádiz (provincial council) set up the Fundación Andrés de Ribera in 1987, which has managed the complex since then. Between 1998 and 2001 the facilities were closed to adapt the halls into a conference centre and to modernise the museum, which reopened in February 2005.

The clock collection spans from the 17th to the 19th century, with a prominent representation of the Empire style and pieces from France, England, Austria and Switzerland; about ninety percent of them still work. The museum also displays 140 walking canes and staffs of office, two tapestries from the Flemish School of around 1640, a late-Gothic carving and a selection of civil silverware.

Highlights

• 287 historic clocks from the 17th to the 19th centuries, almost all in working order
• Notable representation of Empire-style clocks
• English pieces of great precision
• 140 walking canes and staffs of office
• Flemish tapestries and civil silverware
• Historic gardens of La Atalaya

Permanent exhibitions

• Palacio del Tiempo: colección de relojes históricos – A total of 287 clocks from the 17th to the 19th centuries in French, English and other national styles, most of them in working order.
• Bastones, tapices y plata civil – Set of 140 walking canes and staffs of office, two tapestries from the Flemish School of the 17th century, and a selection of civil silverware.

Founded

1973

Operated by

Fundación Andrés de Ribera (Ayuntamiento de Jerez y Diputación de Cádiz)

Admission & discounts

The reduced rate is 50% of the normal rate. All visit rates are exempt from VAT. Free admission applies to children up to 5 accompanied by an adult, to tourist guides and group drivers with accreditation, and to one teacher or companion for every 15 people in school or pensioner groups that pay for the visit.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

Access is via Calle Cervantes, 3; the secondary entrances (Calle Lealas, 30, and Calle Pizarro, 19) remain closed except on exceptional occasions. The museum is 700 m from the historic centre and 1.5 km from the Plaza del Arenal and the Alcázar.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events

Up to 500 guests.

360º multimedia room with theatre seating for 400 people, the “Don Jorge” hall with cocktail capacity for 500 people, an arcaded Andalusian courtyard, a historic garden and the ground floor of the museum (up to 100 people) for gastronomic activities and presentations.

Plan your visit