History of the Salamanca Museum of Commerce and Industry

The Museum of Commerce and Industry was born thanks to the confluence of the efforts made by citizens, merchants and public institutions of the city. It can be said that it had as more direct precedents the temporary exhibitions made by the Official Chamber of Commerce in the mid-1990s, at which time the idea of making a Museum that had as its object of work the history of local commerce and industry began to materialize. Promoted by the His Excellency Salamanca City Council and the Official Chamber of Commerce, the museum center opened its doors in early 2006 with the mission of investigating, preserving and disseminating relevant aspects of the Salamancan industry and commerce.

The building: The first water supply system in Salamanca was designed in 1875. The project incorporated the machinery responsible for raising the water from the river, as it passed through the Aldehuela, to underground deposits located in El Rollo with a capacity of 1,800 m3. This first cistern is currently the mainland of the Salamanca Museum of Commerce and Industry. The supply system was in service until it was decided to build a new, important and high reservoir that would serve the needs of a growing population. Thus arises the raised reinforced concrete tank with its respective sewer network designed by the Zamora architect Santigo Madrigal (1878-1932). The structure was 27.50 m. high. It had a capacity of 4,020 m3 and the water was distributed between two compartments communicated by a gate system. The El Rollo elevated water reservoir was in operation for much of the 20th century. In 2002, already in disuse, it was demolished by municipal decision.

The Museum of Commerce has signed several collaboration agreements with Salamancan entities for the best achievement of its objectives:
University of Salamanca

Salamanca City Council

Chamber of Commerce of Salamanca

Salamanca City of Culture and Knowledge

Pontifical University


The Museum of Commerce is part of the company TURISMO, COMERCIO Y PROMOCIÓN ECONOMICA DE SALAMANCA, S.A.U., on which it depends legally and administratively.