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Museums and Art Galleries - Alicante |
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Museo de Arte de Siglo XX La Asegurada (Museum of Contempory Art)
The Museo de Arte de Siglo XX La Asegurada is one of the oldest museums in Alicante, housed in what used to be a granary dating back the late 16th Century, and is ironically home to one of the most notable modern art collections in Spain today. Alicante sets itself in league with Spain’s prominent art hub, Madrid, with the museum displaying works from world famous artists such as Dali, Cocteau, Miro, Bacon, Calder and Picasso. Entrance is free and guided tours are available at no cost with advance booking. The museum is open throughout the week except on Mondays.
Museo de Fogueres (Bonfire Festivities Museum)
The Museo de Fogueres, also known as the Museo de las Hogueras, is located in the historic Santa Barbara castle, a popular Alicante attraction itself. The museum is dedicated to the papier-mache effigies that are traditionally ‘sacrificed’ during the Las Hogueras (or bonfire) festivities. Prepare to be amazed as you walk through the many rooms taking visitors on a tour of the evolution of the festival displaying dozens of the satirical and intricate paper dolls that were spared the sacrificial flames. The museum also has a special audiovisual room that airs a fantastic presentation on the Fiesta de San Juan in all its glory. Entrance is free and the museum is open Tuesdays through to Sundays at various times.
Museo Taurino (Bullfighting Museum)
Love it or hate it, bullfighting has been part of Spain’s culture for centuries, and still continues to be a popular attraction among locals and tourists alike, so much so that a whole museum is dedicated to the historic sport and its famous local heroes. The Museo Taurino, in the Plaza de Toros de Alicante, right next to Alicante’s bullring, showcases anything and everything connected with bullfighting from the elaborate costumes to the swirling capes and the fatal swords and even a few stuffed heads of the unlucky bulls. Famous local bullfighters like Vicente Blau, Francisco Anton, Jose Ma Manzanares and Luis Francisco Espla are also honored with exhibitions at the museum.
Museo de Belenes (Nativity Museum)
The Museo de Belenes is a little known gem in the Old Quarter of the city, and is a fascinating tribute to the Spanish tradition of having a nativity scene in every household, generally homemade, during the celebration of the Three Kings. This little Alicante museum has literally hundreds of nativity scenes of the birth of Christ, collected from all over the world from Africa to India and ranging from life size to miniature with some for sale. The Museo de Belenes is open from Mondays through to Saturdays and has special opening hours during Christmas time. Entrance is free of charge.
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