Museu de Lleida Diocesà i Comarcal
Art and archaeology museum in Lleida, with collections from prehistory to the Baroque, housed in a modern building in the city centre.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Museu de Lleida was founded in 1893 as a diocesan museum, promoted by Bishop José Meseguer y Costa to gather and protect the artistic heritage of the churches of the diocese. Over the years archaeological and art collections from other sources were added, and the collection passed through several sites, including the former Seminary, the church of Sant Martí and the Episcopal Palace. During the Civil War the pieces were moved to keep them safe.
In 1997 a public consortium was formed by the Generalitat de Catalunya, the Diputació (provincial council), Lleida City Council, the Consell Comarcal del Segrià and the Bishopric, giving the museum its present character as a shared institution. The new building, designed by the architect Joan Rodon, occupies part of the former Hogar de San José and opened on 30 November 2007.
The permanent route arranges the collections chronologically: Palaeolithic and Neolithic, Bronze Age, Iron Age and the Ilergetes, the Roman period, Late Antiquity, Al-Andalus, Romanesque, Gothic, and the Renaissance and Baroque. Among the best-known pieces are a chess set from the 10th and 11th centuries, Romanesque altar frontals, Gothic altarpieces from the Seu Vella and Baroque paintings. The museum also manages the church of Sant Llorenç, which can be visited on a guided tour.
Highlights
- Chronological route from the Palaeolithic to the Baroque
- 10th- and 11th-century chess set from Àger
- Romanesque altar frontals and Gothic altarpieces from the Seu Vella
- Renaissance and Baroque paintings
- Church of Sant Llorenç, visited with a guide
Permanent exhibition
- Colección permanente: de la prehistoria al barroco – Chronological tour of the archaeology and art collections, from the Palaeolithic and Neolithic to the Renaissance and Baroque, with sections devoted to Rome, Al-Andalus, the Romanesque and the Gothic.
- Founded
- 1893
- Operated by
- Consorci del Museu de Lleida
- Director
- Clara Arbués
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €5 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €2.50People over 65, holders of the Carnet Jove, large and single-parent families, holders of the Lleida Public Library card, groups of more than 10 people, organisations with an agreement, and admission in the last hour before closing (with accreditation). |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 15 · Free admission for under-16s. |
| Seniors | €2.50People over 65, with accreditation. |
| Visitors with disabilities | freecompanion free · Holders of the Disability Accreditation Card and one companion. |
| Groups (11+ people) | €2.50 per personReduced rate for groups of more than 10 people; school and university groups accompanied by a teacher, free. Guided group visit with advance booking (from 3 people) from €10 per person. |
Free admission: First Tuesday of each month, 11 May, 18 May (International Museum Day), the Night of the Museums, 11 September and 29 September.
Free entry also for members of the Cercle d'Amics del Museu de Lleida, Amics del MNAC, holders of ICOM and AMC cards and the teaching card of the Generalitat de Catalunya. Guided visits for groups must be booked in advance; visits in another language or outside opening hours carry a supplement of €20.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
Building adapted for people with reduced mobility, with lifts (buttons with Braille) and a stairlift platform. Wheelchair available on loan at reception. Adapted toilets.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 15 |
|---|
- Family tours & workshops
- Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
Guided and interactive family visits and workshops for children aged 3 to 12 during holidays and public holidays; teaching materials and a children's section in the shop.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Universitat
Urban bus: Universitat 1 stop (lines L1, L3, L5, L6, L13, L14 and L17) and Universitat 2 stop (lines L7 and L17); in summer, a tourist bus.
The museum is next to the Rambla d'Aragó, before the Public Library if you come down from the Plaça Ricard Vinyes.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
- Museum shop
- Coat check
- Lockers
Museum café (Cafè del Museu) and museum shop (Botiga). Free cloakroom lockers; items must be collected before closing.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
The museum offers space hire; details are in the services section of its website.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Photography | Private visitors may take photographs in the rooms without flash. |
| Good to know | Guided visits and bookings for school groups and arranged groups by advance reservation. Animals are not admitted, except guide dogs. Room books are available on loan, with translations of the texts of the permanent collection into Spanish, French and English. |
