Brief history of the National Ceramics Museum of Valencia
The Museo Nacional de Cerámica y de las Artes Suntuarias ‘González Martí’ was inaugurated in 1954 thanks to the work of the ceramist and collector Manuel González Martí, who donated his valuable ceramics collection to the State. The museum is housed in the impressive Palacio del Marqués de Dos Aguas, an 18th century Baroque building that is in itself a work of art. Over the years, the museum has expanded its collection to include ceramics from medieval to contemporary times, as well as porcelain, glass, furniture and decorative art. Today, it is one of the most important museums in Spain in its field and a cultural reference point for Spanish ceramics, particularly Valencian ceramics.
The Museum Today
The National Ceramics Museum is known both for the richness of its collections and for the beauty of its headquarters, the Palacio del Marqués de Dos Aguas, whose Baroque façade is one of the most recognisable symbols of Valencia. The museum offers a broad overview of the history of Spanish ceramics, with a special focus on the Valencian ceramics tradition. Inside, you can admire pieces of Arab ceramics, Renaissance tiles, 18th century earthenware, and works by great artists such as Picasso. In addition to the permanent exhibition, the museum organises temporary exhibitions that deal with different aspects of ceramic and decorative art, as well as educational activities and workshops.
Location
The museum is located in the heart of Valencia, in the Palacio del Marqués de Dos Aguas.
Address: Calle Poeta Querol, 2, 46002, Valencia.
Opening hours
– Tuesday to Saturday: 10:00 to 14:00 h and 16:00 to 20:00 h.
– Sundays and public holidays: 10:00 to 14:00 h.
– Closed on Mondays, 1 January, 1 May and 25 December.
Prices
– General admission: 3 €.
– Reduced admission (for groups, students, over 65s, etc.): 1.50 €.
– Free admission on Saturday afternoons, Sundays and public holidays, and for certain groups (under 18s, people with disabilities, unemployed, etc.).
The museum is not only a place to learn about the history of ceramics, but also a place where art, architecture and Valencian culture meet and are valued together.
The Exhibition “De lo Típico a lo Tópico”
The National Museum of Ceramics and Decorative Arts “González Martí” opens the exhibition “De lo Típico a lo Tópico” (“From Typical to Topical”). The comb in Valencian clothing”. More than 165 pieces are on display, including combs, combs, jewelry, ceramics and clothing, highlighting the crucial role of the comb in traditional Valencian dress. The works on display come from more than 25 private collections, together with collections from the museum itself and other institutions such as the Museo Sorolla and the Museo del Traje in Madrid, as well as the Museu Frederic Marés in Barcelona. The exhibition offers a journey through the history of this accessory, examining its evolution in design, materials, ornaments, as well as paying tribute to the craftsmen who made them and the women who wore them.
The exhibition, curated by Francisco Zanón Rodrigo and Virginia Zanón Alcaide, will be open to the public from 8 October to 23 March 2025 in temporary exhibition room 1 (first floor).
