Carmelite Fathers Museum

One of the characteristics that distinguish the las Palmas Desert is the enormous effort and will to preserve and present its great heritage and culture in the form of endless initiatives, in particular the creation of its Museum.

In 1971 two halls were opened as a repository where the most important works of the convent would be placed on display. This was so well received that it encouraged the monks to carry out a larger project, for which they gathered together works of great artistic value spread out over the diffeent convents of the Order. The province of the Barefoot Carmelites of Aragón and Valencia still holds the ownership of both the convents and the works contained within them. In recent years, the process of recovering these works has been evolving, with restoration being carried out on the pieces which require it.

Today it is a truly singular collection both in terms of size and quality. The works come from a wide range of places and periods. Here we can admire all kinds of pieces – ceramics, painting, sculpture, giltwork, embroidery, etchings, and so on – from different parts of Spain, France, Italy, Germany, Holland, Russia, Greece, Israel, Lebanon, Mexico, Phillippines, etc.

A unique testimony to the art that visitors can enjoy is the 18th-century ceramic altarpiece of the Carmelite Prayer, possibly one of the largest pieces produced by the Royal Factory of the Count of Aranda in L'Alcora. Other works depict important events linked to the Order.

The collection also includes a large series of Russian icons, inviting us to contemplate an artistic and spiritual code which is rarely found in the West.

The languages of medieval plastic arts and spirituality are presented in works of great beauty.

The whole series is displayed alongside works by the most outstanding masters of painting and sculpture: Juan de Juanes, Ribera, Salzillo, Gregorio Fernández, José and Ignacio Vergara, Viladomat, Vicente López, Maella and Mengs are just some of the names behind the works comprising the interesting, surprising tour of art that this museum houses.

Museum opening hours:

Sunday mornings.

Groups: Arrange visits by calling 964 30 09 50.

Further information: http://www.desiertodelaspalmas.com/monasterio_hoy.html