Silk Museum Valencia: What to See
The Silk Museum Valencia is one of the most outstanding buildings in the city’s architecture and a fundamental part of the history of Valencian culture.
The 15th century Gothic building, located in the heart of the old town, contains an essential wealth of heritage in its interior through exquisite fabrics and pavements.
Visiting the Silk Museum of Valencia
The Silk Museum Valencia shows silk art’s historical evolution, its clothing and fashion reflection, and its technical and social implications.
Through its tour, either with professional guides or with audio guides, we can know the true dimension of this art in Valencia.
The arrival of the Silk Road, which came from the East, placed the city on the mythical Silk Road and represented a golden age for life in Valencia and a catapult for the city’s international projection in the 18th century.
The Colegio del Arte Mayor de la Seda, a century-old institution essential in the city’s development, houses the Silk Museum Valencia on Hospital Street.
The College of Silk Art
The College of Silk Art originated in the fifteenth century and was created to unify the criteria of silk production in Valencia, due to the conflicts that arose due to the lack of quality of some producers.
Thus was born the guild of Velluters, the velvet weavers. This guild was established in the neighborhood to which it gave its name due to the high concentration of looms existed about 5000 in 1767.
Within the Colegio de Arte Mayor de la Seda, the Salón de la Fama, which was the place where the top leaders of the institution met, stands out.
The Chapel has a white and green tile floor that creates a spectacular optical effect.
The historical archive comprises countless documents kept for five centuries that preserve the history of the guild and its ordinances, the minute books, the books of masters, journeymen, and apprentices, and the books of administration and inspection of factories and trades…
It should be remembered that the College, in its inspection work, could seize and burn fabrics that did not comply with the ordinances.
It is undoubtedly a building that marked an era in Valencia and is well worth a visit. And to make the experience complete.
Less than a 10-minute walk away is the Lonja de la Seda, a Gothic building declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996. Although it was near, we like taking our time walking around a new place with a good pair of flat travel shoes.
Valencia Silk Trade
The Silk Exchange of Valencia, built in the 15th century, is of European civil Gothic origin and is a stunning building, especially the Hall of Columns.
The entire complex will be approximately 2,000 square meters. Located in the historic center of the city, it is just a few meters away from the central market.
In 1996, it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The fish market was a symbol of the power and commercial prosperity of the city. It is said that in the middle of the 15th century, Valencian mercantile prosperity had reached such a level that the General Council of the City considered the Lonja they had at that time insufficient.
So they had the most beautiful, magnificent, and sumptuous Lonja built to the city’s honor.
We can visit it from Monday to Saturday from 9:30 AM to 7 PM (2€ entrance fee) and on Sundays and holidays from 9:30 AM to 3 PM (free entrance). You can keep yourself updated with the opening hours when you stay online with an internet sim.
There are guided tours (with specialized personnel or audio guides) to enrich the experience. You can purchase tickets at San Nicolás, Museo de la Seda, on the Menta Cultural website and by phone.
The photographs of the Silk Museum are courtesy of Menta Cultural. If you want to head outside Valencia, you can rent a car to travel at your own pace.
Plan Your Visit to Valencia
Last Updated on 21 October, 2023 by Veronica
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Author: Veronica
Vero, a seasoned traveler, has explored 25 countries and lived in five, gaining a rich perspective and fostering an infectious passion for travel. With a heart full of wanderlust, Vero uncovers the world’s hidden gems and shares insights, tips, and planning advice to inspire and assist fellow adventurers. Join Vero and let the shared passion for travel create unforgettable memories.
