The Museo do Pobo Galego is one of the most prestigious museums in Santiago de Compostela. It features several rooms showcasing part of the Galician heritage, as well as temporary exhibitions that change seasonally. In this article, we will explain a bit about its history and architecture, and provide information on opening hours, prices, location, guided tours, and contact details.
Table of contents
History
The Museum of the Galician People was inaugurated in 1976. Its building belonged to the old convent of Santo Domingo de Bonaval in Santiago de Compostela. It is an anthropological museum, although it also has rooms dedicated to painting, sculpture, and sacred art.
It is an organisation serving the community, aiming to safeguard traditions and customs that are often forgotten. The Museo do Pobo Galego is recognised by the Xunta de Galicia as:
“a central hub of Galician museums and anthropological collections.”
Therefore, it not only acts as a reference and stimulus for the creation of other museums, but it can also be considered a spiritual and symbolic enterprise within the network of Galician anthropological museums.
The museum offers several services, such as a large library and a graphic and documentary archive with collections from various political, trade union, and social entities, as well as contributions from companies or individuals. It has nine permanent rooms, including music, visual arts, and memory and tradition. There are also several rooms for temporary exhibitions, an auditorium, audiovisual rooms, meeting rooms, and a video library.
Additionally, there are two distinct departments: the Department of Education and Cultural Action and the Institute of Identity Studies. The former is responsible for educational activities for school groups, while the latter develops the museum’s sociocultural research and intervention.
Architecture
The convent was founded in 1220 by Saint Dominic of Guzmán, although few remnants of these buildings remain today. What we can see now includes a 14th-century Gothic church, several courtyards, and cloisters from various renovations and expansions carried out over the years. Many of these were executed by Domingo de Andrade in the 17th century. This architect designed the triple spiral staircase we see today.
Noteworthy in the church, aside from its typical Gothic architecture, are its three-nave layout, Gothic windows, and ribbed vault. In the church’s side chapel, we find the Pantheon of Galicia, where the remains of great Galician writers and artists such as Rosalía de Castro, Castelao, and Ramón Cabanillas are interred.
Location of Museo do Pobo Galego
The Museo do Pobo Galego is located on Costa de Santo Domingos, s/n. in the old convent of Santo Domingo, next to the Bonaval Park.
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| Day | Time |
|---|---|
| Monday | Closed |
| Tuesday | 11:00 – 18:00 |
| Wednesday | 11:00 – 18:00 |
| Thursday | 11:00 – 18:00 |
| Friday | 11:00 – 18:00 |
| Saturday | 11:00 – 18:00 |
| Sunday and holidays | 11:00 – 14:00 |
The Museo do Pobo Galego will also be closed on January 1st and December 24th.
On December 24th and 31st, and January 5th, it will open as on a holiday.
Prices of Museo do Pobo Galego
| Ticket Type | Price |
|---|---|
| Regular admission | €5 |
| Reduced admission (>65 years, >18 students) | €2 |
| Groups (8 or more people) | €3.5 |
Admission is free for:
- Museum members (their companions will pay €3.5)
- Students under 18 years
- Unemployed persons
- Temporary exhibition admission
- On the following days: May 18th (Museum Day), July 25th (Galicia National Day), and October 29th (MPG Anniversary)
Tours of the Museum
There are several options for guided museum visits:
- You can explore on your own using a “content guide” available on paper at the reception, as well as various digital media throughout the museum.
- Nattivus organises a guided tour of the Museo do Pobo Galego, including an official Spanish-speaking guide and museum entry. The guide will wait at the entrance, and the tour lasts two hours. The price varies depending on age: adults €15, students with a university card €12, seniors €12, and children under 5 are free.
- Minube also offers a guided tour of the Museo do Pobo Galego with an expert Spanish-speaking guide and entry included. The activity lasts two hours, and the price is €15 for adults, with children under 3 free.
For school group visits, contact the Department of Education and Cultural Action, which will organise the visit. This can be self-guided or with personnel from this department.
Virtual Visit
If the museum is too far for you, you can visit it virtually at visitavirtual.museodopobogalego. You can navigate through the different rooms and see the permanent exhibitions from wherever you are.
Contact
Email: info@museodopobo.gal
Phone: +34 981 583 620
Santiago de Compostela offers many interesting cultural activities. In the following article, we will tell you everything you need to know about the art galleries in Santiago de Compostela.