The Museum of Cádiz makes a very interesting addition to Cádiz itineraries for a number of reasons. It is housed in a striking Neoclassical building that is beautiful inside and out. But more uniquely, its collections span a wide range of subjects and time periods. See exhibitions of 20th-century works in the fine arts section, then head to the archaeology section to see remarkable artifacts dating from thousands of years ago.
The museum’s roots date back to 1835, but the building that currently houses it was not completed until 1838. Initially, the collection only covered fine arts. However, the discovery of a Phoenician sarcophagus in Cádiz prompted the museum to expand to include archaeological artifacts as well. As the local region became a hotspot for archaeology over the following years, the museum’s collection grew and grew. Visit today and you can still see the original Phoenician sarcophagus that kick-started the museum’s expansion.
Take your time in the archaeology area and note the many other exhibits of interest too. As well as seeing Phoenician jewelry and items that once belong to ancient Romans, you will learn about ancient traditions and rituals.
Meanwhile, the ethnography section is largely dedicated to exploring the Tía Norica puppet tradition. This is a type of satirical puppet show that has its roots in Cádiz. Bring the kids along to one of the shows the museum holds to demonstrate what the puppets look like in action.
The fine arts area is bigger than the ethnography one. Here you will find paintings dating from the 16th century up to the 20th. See works by Baroque masters such as Murillo and Zurbarán. In the 19th-century section, look at works by important Andalusian artists Gonzalo Bilbao and Francisco Godoy. The 20th-century section includes big names such as Joan Miró and Rafael Alberti.
There is an entry fee for access to the Museum of Cádiz. Note that while the museum is always closed on Mondays, the precise opening hours vary by the season.
