San Telmo Museoa
Located in the heart of the historic quarter, the Basque Country’s oldest museum is dedicated to capturing Basque society and citizenship. Two hours here will provide you with a crash-course in all things Basque. The exterior is a typically bold Basque juxtaposition, a 16th-century convent building sitting side-by-side with a wall of modern metal panels through which vegetation grows. Inside, you’ll discover a beautifully presented record of local history. Excellent films, artifacts, and other exhibits engagingly capture the highs and lows of a people often at odds with the Spanish state. Much revered are the huge, stunning canvases by José Maria Sert—a Catalan, not a Basque—which recreate key events in Basque history; they’re best appreciated from the upstairs gallery. There is a separate room dedicated to Basque art, including sculpture. Multilingual audio guides are provided, though these cost a couple of euros extra, and visitors are now encouraged to download the museum app via a QR code—essential, since most exhibits are paneled only in Basque and Spanish.
Located in the heart of the historic quarter, the Basque Country’s oldest museum is dedicated to capturing Basque society and citizenship. Two hours here will provide you with a crash-course in all things Basque. The exterior is a typically bold Basque juxtaposition, a 16th-century convent building sitting side-by-side with a wall of modern metal panels through which vegetation grows. Inside, you’ll discover a beautifully presented record of local history. Excellent films, artifacts, and other exhibits engagingly capture the highs and lows of a people often at odds with the Spanish state. Much revered are the huge, stunning canvases by José Maria Sert—a Catalan, not a Basque—which recreate key events in Basque history; they’re best appreciated from the upstairs gallery. There is a separate room dedicated to Basque art, including sculpture. Multilingual audio guides are provided, though these cost a couple of euros extra, and visitors are now encouraged to download the museum app via a QR code—essential, since most exhibits are paneled only in Basque and Spanish.
Details
Bookstore
Available as paperback
and as e-book.
