Museu de Belles Arts de València

It was declared Historical Artistic Monument in 1962. Valencia's Museo de Bellas Artes (Fine Arts Museum) is the second most important museum (after the Prado). I must tell you that, if you're planning to visit it, it's quite large and, both its extensive content and the building itself are worth visiting. However, you can choose in the map the places that interest you the most. The Gothic paintings that you can see as soon as you go in, as well as Velazquez's self portrait are a must see. The history of this museum is linked to the history of the Royal Academy of Arts of San Carlos. You will find in the cloisters archeology such as tombstones, a number of stone and bronze figures, some mosaics, sarcophaguses and works done in marble and ceramics. The main sculptures are the ones done by the great artist from Valencia, Mariano Benlliure. The museum also has a number of paintings by Rembrandt, El Bosco, Sorolla, Mengs, Ribalta, Goya, Van Dyck and Velazquez. At the beginning of 2007, the blue Patio del Palacio del Embajador Vich (patio of the palace of the Embassador Vich) was installed inside the museum, a beautiful and ancient architectonic complex of the Renaissance. This place also has, as a dependent museum, the Centro del Carmen, a beautiful building that hosts interesting exhibits.

Valencia’s Museum of Fine Arts lies on San Pío V street, on the other side of the Turia river if you’re coming from the city’s old quarters.

The Carmen convent, inside of the old quarters, was the first Fine Arts museum, but with the expansion of the museum’s collection, it was moved to the other side of the river. The old location was known as the Carmen Museum of Painting.

The name was changed along with the location, to San Pío V Museum, and to the fine arts museum. It has a grand gallery, painting, sculptures, but it also has archeological pieces from the Roman ages.

The Spanish and Valencian artists are emphasized. The museum’s building is the Colegio Seminario Sant Pió V (seminary school), which was found in the 17th century by the archbishop of Valencia. It’s of baroque style and was constructed by a Valencian architect. He built a church for the school next door.