EPISCOPAL PALACE OF SALAMANCA
1 hour
The Episcopal Palace is located in Juan XXIII Square, opposite the Old Cathedral. It is a large Neoclassical-style building commissioned in the late 19th century by Father Cámara, Bishop of Salamanca. It was designed by architect José Secall and served as the residence for the bishops of Salamanca until 1964. Afterwards, it housed the City Museum and the Diocesan Archive. It has recently been rehabilitated as the Diocesan Museum of Sacred Art, and its halls display interesting collections of sacred art.
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Free visit price
- Individual - 10.00 €
The current Episcopal Palace stands on the site of the bishop's original residence, whose origins dated back to the 14th century, although it had been subject to numerous renovations over the centuries. Facing the threat of imminent ruin in the late 19th century, it was decided to demolish it and replace it with a newly built edifice. Father Cámara commissioned the project to the diocesan architect José Secall y Asión. The old palace was demolished in 1887, and the construction of the new building extended until 1889, being inaugurated the following year.
An interesting fact about the Episcopal Palace is that during the Civil War, it served as Francisco Franco's residence and headquarters, with a bunker being built in the garden at that time. After the war, it resumed its function as the residence for the bishops of Salamanca until 1964. In the 1980s, it came under the authority of the city council, which established the City History Museum within it. It was almost two decades until it returned to the hands of the diocese, which has now designated it as a museum. Following an extensive renovation, it reopened its doors in 2023 as the Diocesan Museum of Sacred Art. This museum, whose visit is linked to that of the Cathedrals, features a permanent exhibition of pieces from parishes, private collections, and the Diocese itself.
An interesting fact about the Episcopal Palace is that during the Civil War, it served as Francisco Franco's residence and headquarters, with a bunker being built in the garden at that time. After the war, it resumed its function as the residence for the bishops of Salamanca until 1964. In the 1980s, it came under the authority of the city council, which established the City History Museum within it. It was almost two decades until it returned to the hands of the diocese, which has now designated it as a museum. Following an extensive renovation, it reopened its doors in 2023 as the Diocesan Museum of Sacred Art. This museum, whose visit is linked to that of the Cathedrals, features a permanent exhibition of pieces from parishes, private collections, and the Diocese itself.
For decades, the building was home to the Diocesan Museum and Archive. Following a profound architectural transformation, it reopened its doors in 2023 under a new designation: Diocesan Museum of Sacred Art.
The Episcopal Palace boasts an exhibition area of 700 square meters, distributed between the basement, ground floor, and first floor. The permanent collections are presented on the first two floors, comprising works from the diocesan heritage, various parishes, and temporary loans from private collectors. The basement, for its part, has been reserved for workshops and to host temporary exhibitions.
In total, visitors can enjoy 160 works of art — 45 located on the ground floor and 115 on the first floor — including notable pieces by renowned artists such as Alonso de Berruguete, Luis de Morales, Venancio Blanco, José Luis Núñez Solé, Fernando Gallego, and Maestro Bartolomé.
The Episcopal Palace boasts an exhibition area of 700 square meters, distributed between the basement, ground floor, and first floor. The permanent collections are presented on the first two floors, comprising works from the diocesan heritage, various parishes, and temporary loans from private collectors. The basement, for its part, has been reserved for workshops and to host temporary exhibitions.
In total, visitors can enjoy 160 works of art — 45 located on the ground floor and 115 on the first floor — including notable pieces by renowned artists such as Alonso de Berruguete, Luis de Morales, Venancio Blanco, José Luis Núñez Solé, Fernando Gallego, and Maestro Bartolomé.
GROUND FLOOR: DEDICATED TO FERNANDO GALLEGO AND ARTISTS OF HIS TIME
This level is dedicated to one of the most fertile periods of Salamancan painting, the last quarter of the 15th century, with special attention to the celebrated painter Fernando Gallego. The Episcopal Palace preserves three works attributed to the master, accompanied by pieces from his workshop and by artists who collaborated with him, such as Maestro Bartolomé and Pedro Bello.
INTERPRETATION OF THE ASTROLOGICAL VAULT OF THE UNIVERSITY OF SALAMANCA
As part of the permanent exhibition dedicated to Fernando Gallego, a recreation of the astrological vault of the University of Salamanca is presented. Through panels located on the side walls, the mythological figures appearing in the "sky" are explained, representing planets, constellations, zodiac signs, and winds.
FIRST FLOOR: "ADMIRABLE MYSTERY"
Under this title, a visual journey is structured, narrating the Christian faith, from the prophets to Easter. The iconographic selection covers works created between the 13th and 21st centuries, featuring pieces by Alonso de Berruguete, from the circle of Juan de Juni, by the Master of the Anayas, Alejandro Carnicero, and others.
BASEMENT: TEMPORARY EXHIBITIONS AND WORKSHOPS
This underground space is incorporated into the project with a dual function: to host temporary exhibitions and to serve as a venue for creative workshops.
In the "José Luis Núñez Solé" Room, the Cristo de la Tabla and the tavolettas by Salamancan artist Jerónimo Prieto are on display, created for the Brotherhood of Christ of Love and Peace. These works feature prominently in the penitential procession of Holy Saturday, accompanying the Most Holy Christ of Liberation.
IMMERSIVE ROOM: 'The Cathedral like you've never seen it before'
With this motto, the cathedral complex offers its visitors a unique virtual reality experience. Thanks to VR headsets, unprecedented panoramic views and visually inaccessible spaces, such as the dome, can be discovered. Additionally, an audiovisual guides the visitor through the historical construction process of the cathedrals.
This level is dedicated to one of the most fertile periods of Salamancan painting, the last quarter of the 15th century, with special attention to the celebrated painter Fernando Gallego. The Episcopal Palace preserves three works attributed to the master, accompanied by pieces from his workshop and by artists who collaborated with him, such as Maestro Bartolomé and Pedro Bello.
INTERPRETATION OF THE ASTROLOGICAL VAULT OF THE UNIVERSITY OF SALAMANCA
As part of the permanent exhibition dedicated to Fernando Gallego, a recreation of the astrological vault of the University of Salamanca is presented. Through panels located on the side walls, the mythological figures appearing in the "sky" are explained, representing planets, constellations, zodiac signs, and winds.
FIRST FLOOR: "ADMIRABLE MYSTERY"
Under this title, a visual journey is structured, narrating the Christian faith, from the prophets to Easter. The iconographic selection covers works created between the 13th and 21st centuries, featuring pieces by Alonso de Berruguete, from the circle of Juan de Juni, by the Master of the Anayas, Alejandro Carnicero, and others.
BASEMENT: TEMPORARY EXHIBITIONS AND WORKSHOPS
This underground space is incorporated into the project with a dual function: to host temporary exhibitions and to serve as a venue for creative workshops.
In the "José Luis Núñez Solé" Room, the Cristo de la Tabla and the tavolettas by Salamancan artist Jerónimo Prieto are on display, created for the Brotherhood of Christ of Love and Peace. These works feature prominently in the penitential procession of Holy Saturday, accompanying the Most Holy Christ of Liberation.
IMMERSIVE ROOM: 'The Cathedral like you've never seen it before'
With this motto, the cathedral complex offers its visitors a unique virtual reality experience. Thanks to VR headsets, unprecedented panoramic views and visually inaccessible spaces, such as the dome, can be discovered. Additionally, an audiovisual guides the visitor through the historical construction process of the cathedrals.