Alicante Step by step - Universidad de Sevilla

MUSEUMS
MARQ Museo Arqueológico Provincial (Provincial Archaeology Museum) tel. 96 514 90 00
This museum was created in 1932, located in the basement of what was then called
the Provincial Council building. It first contained findings from archaeological sites
in Torremanzanas, El Campello and Alicante. It is currently located in the ancient
hospital of San Juan de Dios, and became known, both for its layout and content, as
one of the major museums in Spain in its class. It has valuable displays reaching from
the Palaeolithic down to the modern age, with special emphasis on Iberian art, displaying
a bust of Our Lady of Cabezo Lucero, reminiscent of the famed Lady of Elche, plus
diverse Roman utensils, Islamic treasures and an extensive collection of ceramics from
a number of different periods.
Colección Capa (Capa Collection) tel. 96 526 31 31
This collection is distributed among the halls and open-air spaces of the castle of Santa Barbara
overlooking the city. It is the largest contemporary Spanish sculpture collection in the world,
dating from the late 19th and 20th centuries. It was granted to the city by its founder, the
collector and Professor Eduardo Capa, being inaugurated in 1998. The holdings consist of
some 700 works, of which 250 are displayed on a permanent basis. The symbol of this
magnificent collection is Salvador Dali's “Newton”, but it is always difficult to choose a favourite
among this selection of works from the finest sculptors over the last 100 years: Benlliure, Blay,
Capuz, Pérez Comendador, Torre Isunza, Serrano, Los Oteiza, Manolo Hugué, Cristino Mallo,
Orduna, the world's largest collection by Alberto Sánchez and many others. There is also a
representation of foreign sculptors such as James Knowles, Kahlid and Leandro Mbomio.
Pozos de Garrigós (Garrigós Wells) tel. 96 520 21 23
These are a set of large-scale water wells (807,000 litres) excavated in the Benacantil
mountain, of ancient origin, and believed to date from the Islamic period. There were
records of their existence in the 16th century, although they were restored in the 19th
century by Antonio Garrigós López, and named after him. They were intended to store
rainwater from the catchment area of the mountain so as to supply the town.
Inside the restored wells is a selection of objects and typical pottery pieces such as
vases, earthenware bottles, jugs etc. which have been used by man down the ages for
storing water.
La Asegurada (La Asegurada Museum) tel. 96 514 09 59
This is one of the most important contemporary art collections existing in Spain, derived
from a donation made by the Alicante painter and sculptor Eusebio Sempere to the
city in 1977. The exhibition is divided into three aesthetic departments: Geometries,
Other Abstract Works and Figurative Works, all exhibited on a rotating basis. Of note
are masterworks by Juan Gris, Julio González, Pablo Gargallo, Eduardo Chillida, etc.
Among the paintings, sculptures, mixed techniques and graphic works there are samples
from some of the most important national and foreign creators from the 20th century:
Picasso, Miró, Dalí, Tàpies, Kandinsky, Vasarely, Agam, Max Ernst and many others.
Museo de Belenes (Nativity Museum) tel. 96 520 22 32
This Museum is located in a typical house in the old quarter constructed in the first
half of the 19th century and preserving an original water well. It contains a collection
of nativity scenes showing episodes from the life of Christ made by some of the finest
Spanish nativity artists. There is also a life-sized nativity scene, and other nativities
from diverse parts of the world.
Mubag Gravina Fine Arts Museum tel. 96 514 67 80
Palace that belonged to the Earl of Lumiares and was once seat of the Provincial
Archives. It currently holds the Provincial Fine Arts Gallery, mainly exhibiting the
holdings of the Provincial Council, with collections from the 16th to the 20th centuries.
It also provides space for numerous travelling exhibitions.
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