Tour of the Marqués Palace and National Ceramics museum, Valencia
If one is well acquainted with the city of Valencia or has merely taken a short walk down the street of the old town, then you must definitely have across stores displaying beautiful ceramic pieces. The collections in some of the stores are so enticing to look at that we spent an entire afternoon wandering through the streets of Valencia hopping from one store to another. And this is when we came across the Palace of the Marqués de Dos Aguas, a building like no other we have seen before!
Related post: From the streets of Valencia
The Palace outer structure has a unique appearance, and we are pretty sure every person is struck by the sheer magnificence of the building at the very first look. Once home to the Spanish Noble, the palace was built during the 15th century and showcases Rococo style architecture.
Another highlight of the Palace exteriors is the striking main entrance, a famous landmark of Valencia made of alabaster stone in Churrigueresque style. Upon enquiring about the Palace, we were informed much to our delight that the Palace currently houses the Museo Nacional de Ceramica Gonzalez Marti (The National Ceramics Museum) named after an avid ceramics collector and also major contributors to the museum, Gonzalez Marti. Not one to miss an amazing opportunity like this to explore the palace interiors, we decided to purchase the museum tour tickets.
The two storied palace is divided into sections showcasing spectacular artwork with the main focus on Valencian ceramics and porcelain. The ground floor, once a carriage house and stable now has some of the most luxurious antique carriages on display. Looking at these dreamy carriages we couldn’t help ourselves from imagining if the story of Cinderella was indeed true!
The first floor has the private rooms of the Marqués de Dos Aguas where we took a tour of the rooms like ballroom, dressing rooms, luxurious bedchamber and so on, which left us completely speechless with its magnificence. Walking through these rooms gave us a glimpse of the opulent lifestyle of the Marqués during the old days. The rooms still have the original pieces of furniture in the display along with some of the exquisite antiques, paintings, artworks in the ceilings and walls of the rooms.
After spending enough wandering through the private quarters we moved on to the second floor, where you will find a major collection of ceramics from around the world, dating back to prehistoric age. The collections also gave a detailed insight on the evolution of ceramics over the years and how us humans have brought out our artistic capabilities in these pieces. One of the main features of the museum is the traditional Valencian kitchen completely built from locally made ceramics.
It is truly amazing how these ceramic and porcelain items are made with such finesse and it is no wonder one of the most coveted showpieces in the world.
Entry tickets to the National Ceramics Museum cost 3 Euros and are free of cost for children (below 18 years) and senior citizens (65+ years). The museum is closed on Mondays.
Hope you guys enjoyed our post, do leave us a comment on your thoughts about the palace and museum.
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Such beautiful captures and i so agree. The exteriors as well as interiors could just easily win every heart 🙂 Few of them look quite delicate 🙂 Thanks for sharing. Cheers.
Your welcome :).
I haven’t been anywhere in Spain except Barcelona! So, thanks for this virtual tour. Oh my! The palace looks gorgeous! Entry fee is just 3 euros??!! That’s just awesome! Love the sculptural details. Its so rich!!!
Yes, surprisingly the tour of such a beautiful place was just for 3 Euros.
Nice photographic coverage of the Marques Palace, enjoyed watching its beauty on pictures
Thank you Umesh.
Beautiful captures. Place looks absolutely royal.
Thank you Sapna.
Rococo style is so grand and elegant! Each room is more elaborate than the last. What a beautiful tour for history, architecture, and art.
The palace and the museum are a treat for history and art lover, glad you enjoyed the virtual tour.
Spain has such a well-preserved history. Those coaches are so intricately decorated and the majestic chandeliers and furniture are all stunning. We have county style castles in Scotland but nothing like Palace of the Marqués de Dos Aguas. Interesting post!
Thank you Raymond, the Marques palace is one of a kind, we have seen nothing like this before.
My study abroad in Valencia fell through when I was in college so I always imagine what could have been when I read posts like this. I would love to visit the museum and see all the ceramics on display. Its so impressive that they were preserved so well.
Valencia is an amzing city, hope you get to visit soon :).
This is one place where it is difficult to chose whether exterior of interior is better…I find them each competing for the top slot!
The carriages look so elegant, as if made for eternity!
Yes, both exteriors and interiors are very beautifully designed and very unique.
Entry at 3 Euro is a bargain! What beautiful pieces – the carriages are so ornate and the ceramics and porcelain are so detailed. An absolute master craftsman/woman must have been very proud when they finished making them!
Oh yes, the people involved in the design and construction of the palace must have been really proud of their work.
What an amazingly beautiful place! The life of the rich!!!!
Hahah, yes the grand life of the rich :).
Love the intricate details of the Marques Palace. The interior is pretty amazing with all the beautiful trim and grandeur. But the Nymph Chariot is simply spectacular! Just incredible detail and craftsmanship; that definitely looks like something out of real-life Cinderella. Also a great collection of art pieces and ceramics and absolutely worth the visit, especially for only 3 Euro.
It is one of the best tour for just 3 Euros. The Nymph carriage is one of our favourite pieces from the display.
Lovely captures. This palace is rich in decorations nice to see them through your Lens.
Thank you.
such amazing photographs…loved them
Thank you very much Balaka.
Seems like a really interesting museum, glad you enjoyed it! I really want to take a ride in that Nymph Chariot, it’s so beautiful!
Hahah, upclose the chariot is enough more stunning.
I would definitely visit there for only 3 euro! I can’t believe they still have chariots there from
the mid 1700s. It is incredible how well preserved the artifacts are. The chandelier for some reason reminds me of a birthday cake haha. What a cool experience.
That is a great comparison for the chandelior. Anyways it was indeed an one of a kind experience to visit this beautiful place.
Looks like a palace straight out of Disney fairy tales. Actually Cinderella! And such lovely shots as usual! 😀
Thank you Vaisakhi :). The palace tour is truly like a fairytale coming to life.
Good to see all of these so well preserved.
Wonder if those thinner rails on the Bannister was added later.
Umm. Not really sure about the banisters.
The whole post made me travel to a different era. Haha! The architecture was so lit Im like watching a fairytale setting that came to like. I love the carriages looking so grand!
Thank you Kris. the tour does make everyone imagine the life of the people during the old times.
Beautiful museum with lovely art work on display. The cavingas are amazing.
Yes it indeed is :).
Beautiful coverage of the place. Thanks for sharing.
Your welcome :).
Having read this I thought it was very informative. I appreciate you taking the time and effort to put this article together. I once again find myself spending way to much time both reading and commenting. But so what, it was still worth it!
Thank you.
Mind blowing exhibits! Everything is extremely beautiful. Visiting places like this always makes me inspired for weeks and weeks to come.
Places like this works wonders for your imagination :).
You have a lovely blog TOTS. My first day posting here so will read more of your blogs soon:) Also thanks for the comment on one of my articles:)
Ive been many times in Valenica, but never visited this museum. Next time, I will for sure. It seems like a true hidden gem.
The museum is indeed a gem. Do visit the place on your next visit to Valencia.
this a great tour, i feel like I’ve visited the Palace with you. Thanks for sharing your experience.
Your welcome Joi.
Never mind the museum – I think I would just spend hours taking pictures of the exterior….lol! It’s absolutely stunning!
Yes, we spent so long just staring at the beautiful work. It is really out of the world.
Oh wow everything is so ornate and beautiful! Must have been so interesting living during those times. Looks like its definitely a great place to visit and find out some history!
Definitely, the palace shows how the life of the rich was during the old times.
WOW! It looks so opulent! The rich golds and architecture. I love it.
Thank you Michelle.
I’ve been to Valencia and I love the city! I will definitely go back someday, and I’ll keep this place in mind. I agree with many of these comments – I love the pictures and you captured the essence of the place! Thank you!
Thank you for the love! Please do visit the palace when you are in Valencia next. We are sure you will love it :).
Brilliant pictures ladies. I am in love with the palace just by looking at it. Rococo style of architecture is so different and so elaborate too. Seems like they like a lot of fluid curves and bas effects. I kind of like it. Would definitely like to experience it myself. BTW – you guys are looking gorgeous in those pics 😀
Thank you so much Ami :).
Beautifully captured and quite a uniquely interesting palace!
Thank you!