Vilamuseu

It is considered the most accessible museum in Europe. It’s no wonder, since the team at Vilamuseu works to ensure that everyone has access to the building and its exhibits. The main goal of this museum and its team is for everyone to enjoy our cultural heritage, which is why they strive to eliminate physical, sensory, cognitive, psychological, cultural, and economic barriers.

La Vila Joiosa has more than 2,700 years of history, and Vilamuseu houses artifacts from each of the civilizations that have lived here. That’s why at Vilamuseu you can dress up as a Roman soldier, admire unique or extraordinary artifacts found on the Iberian Peninsula—such as an Orientalizing gold necklace from the 6th century BCE or an Egyptian New Year’s water bottle—view hundreds of Roman amphorae, touch a Roman mosaic or the model of the Sant Josep Funeral Tower, and immerse yourself in the Moors and Christians Festival of La Vila Joiosa… These are just a few examples of the experiences that await you at this museum, which houses unique artifacts from the city’s incredibly rich historical heritage.

In addition, Vilamuseu is home to the Bou Ferrer Shipwreck Interpretation Center. A 30-meter-long Roman ship that was sailing to Rome carrying thousands of amphorae filled with garum (a fish sauce highly prized at the time) and lead ingots belonging to Emperor Nero.

At Vilamuseu, children have their own space: VILAKIDS, which offers a wide range of activities so that even the youngest visitors can have fun while discovering history.

Vilamuseu opened its doors in 2016 and is located on the site of the former Dr. Esquerdo Public School, whose façade it has preserved. The façade is an example of historicist architecture, as it imitates classical styles: the mullioned or double windows mimic medieval palaces, while the oves and arrows are inspired by Greek and Roman architecture. With a contemporary design, Vilamuseu offers visitors bright spaces, open areas that connect the different floors to facilitate navigation, and the opportunity to observe the work being done in the restoration lab, as well as spacious walkways, color contrasts between floor surfaces, tactile information, easy-to-read texts, and many other features derived from the widespread application of universal design principles. Its inclusive and accessible design and content have earned Vilamuseu various awards, notably the “Best Practices” award from the Design for All Foundation.

In addition, Vilamuseu is currently home to the Universitat d’Alacant’s Seu Universitària, which offers a wide and varied range of cultural and academic programs.

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