Museo Arqueológico, Sevilla

On opposite sides of a large water fountain in the middle of the Plaza de America, part of the Parque de Maria Lousa, are the Museo Arqueologico and the Museo de Artes y Costumbres Populares (the Customs and Folk Art Museum). The Archeological Museum is a Neo-Renaissance building, built in 1919.

Both are worth a visit.

The Archeological Museum has two floors in chronological order beginning downstairs. It is very well done in my opinion, both interesting and educational.

There are explanatory signs in Spanish on each exhibit and general explanations in other languages, including English, at the entry to each room.

I preferred the lower floor which is pre-history. The upper floor, which is the ground floor, contains mostly Roman era artifacts.

Entry in September, 2009 was Euro 1.50 for non-EU members, free for citizens of EU countries.

Open Sunday: 9 am - 2 pm,
Tuesday: 3 pm - 8 pm,
Wednesday - Saturday: 9 am - 2 pm.
Closed Monday.

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In front of the Popular Arts Museum there is this other beautiful building, the Archeologic Museum. It was built by Anibal Gonzalez for the Latin American Exhibion of 1929 too, but this one in Neorenaissance style to be the Fine Arts Pavillion. As Archeologic Museum it host an important representation of Roman Era art coming from Itálica (Santiponce) and other Roman enclaves in the Seville's province. The main pieces are the sculptures of the emperors Hadrian and Trajan and of the gods Mercury and Venus. There are very beautiful mosaics too, as the one of Bacchus. In addition the Prehistoric Era is very interesting too, mainly the Tartessus culture, one of the most advanced. The Carambolo Treasure (golden king's accesories) and the nice Tartessus' symbol are the best. As in the Popular Arts museums pictures are not allowed and I can't share it with you.

Frente al Museo de Artes Populares hay otro bonito edificio, el Museo Arqueológico. También fue construido por Anibal Gonzalez para la Exposición Iberoamericana de 1929, pero este en estilo neorenacentista, para ser el Pabellón de las Bellas Artes. Como museo arqueológico acoje una importante colección de arte romano procedente de Itálica (Santiponce) y otros lugares de la provincia de Sevilla. Las principales piezas son las esculturas de los emperadores Adriano y Trajano y las de los dioses Mercurio y Venus. También hay mosaicos muy bonitos, como el de Baco. Además es muy interesante la era prehistórica, principalmente la cultura de Tartesos, una de las más avanzadas. El Tesoro del Carambolo (accesorios de oro del rey) y el bonito símbolo tartésico son lo mejor. Como el Museo de Artes Populares, no se permite hacer fotos, así que no puedo compartir esto con vosotros.

Visiting hours and price / Horario y precio
The same than the ones at the Popular Arts Museum
Los mismos que en el Museo de Artes Populares

The famous PLAZA DE AMERICA is also in the Parque de Maria Luis.

This Plaza is made up of several palaces which are all different in architectural style.

There is the Royal Pavilion in flamboyant Gothic Style.
The Archeological Museum (see photograph) in Renaissance style and the MUDEJAR Pavilion in its relative style....all three are carried out by the same Anibal Gonzalez.

The Mudejar Pavilion houses the Museum of Popular Arts.

It is all part of the Parque de Maria Luisa which means that there is a lot to enjoy there....it took me quite some time on a busy Friday in Spring.

The Parque is frequented by many Sevilleans who want some fresh air and want to enjoy nature....

Just in front of the Mudejar pabellon, we did not enter to the musseum as we were going to visit in situ the Italica ruins...

Sorry I could not get a better photo as the sun was just in front, snif snif, but is a really interesting building

Since 1941 the Pavilion of Fine Arts houses the Archaeological Museum of Seville.

The style is Neo-Renaissance done for the Ibero-American exposition of 1929.