Museum of Fine Arts
If you like art, you cannot miss the Museum of Fine Arts, located on Avenida Hermanos Bou, near the Episcopal Palace. This museum offers a rich and diverse collection of works from different eras and styles, from prehistory to the present.
The Museum of Fine Arts was founded in 1949 as the Archaeological and Ethnological Museum, with the intention of showcasing the historical and cultural heritage of Castellón. In 1970, the museum changed its name and profile, focusing on fine and contemporary art. In 2001, the museum moved to a new building, designed by architect Emilio Tuñón. The building is shaped like a rectangular prism and is divided into four parts: public, exhibition, research, and storage.
Inside the museum, you can admire over 2000 works of art, divided into four sections: prehistory and archaeology, Gothic and Renaissance art, Baroque and Enlightenment art, and contemporary art. It is worth paying attention to the following works:
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- In the prehistoric and archaeological section, you can see cave paintings from the Desierto de las Palmas caves, which are recognized as a heritage of humanity by UNESCO, lead plates from the Iberian period, on which a mysterious language was recorded, mosaics, coins, and jewelry from the Roman period.
- In the Gothic and Renaissance section, you can see paintings from the 15th and 16th centuries, such as “The Annunciation” or “Adoration of the Three Kings” by an unknown Master from Castellón, sculptures made of wood and alabaster, such as “Pieta” or “Saint George and the Dragon” by Pere Moragas.
- In the Baroque and Enlightenment section, you can see paintings from the 17th and 18th centuries, such as “Portrait of the Duke de Gandía” or “Portrait of the Duchess de Alba” by Francisco de Goya, sculptures made of marble and bronze, such as “Saint John the Baptist” or “Saint Anthony of Padua” by José Esteve Bonet.
- In the contemporary section, you can see paintings from the 19th and 20th centuries, such as “Still Life with Fruit” or “Landscape with Mountains” by Joaquín Sorolla, works by famous artists such as Picasso, Miró, Dalí, and Tàpies.
The Museum of Fine Arts is not only a museum but also a center of culture. In the museum, various events and initiatives take place, such as temporary exhibitions, workshops, conferences, meetings, and competitions, which aim to promote and disseminate artistic, educational, and social values.
