Ethnological Section of the Museum of Zaragoza

The Ethnological Section of the Museum of Zaragoza is a small but distinctive branch of the city's museum, dedicated to the folk culture of the Aragonese Pyrenees. It occupies a building known as the Casa Pirenaica (Pyrenean House), built specifically to recreate the traditional mountain architecture of the region.

Where is the Pyrenean House?

The building stands in José Antonio Labordeta Park in Zaragoza, away from the bustle of the historic centre — visitors come across a mountain house set among the park's greenery, which is itself part of the experience. That contrast was intentional from the start: the Casa Pirenaica was built in 1955 on an idea by Antonio Beltrán, with the design carried out by architect Alejandro Allánegui. Rather than reproducing one specific house, the building deliberately combines architectural elements from several Pyrenean valleys — chiefly Benasque, Ansó and Hecho, along with the Sierra de Guara area. As a result, a single structure reflects the variety of mountain building traditions across the whole region.

What will you see inside?

Inside, the rooms of the Pyrenean House recreate the domestic spaces of an Aragonese mountain household — kitchen, living quarters, work areas — filled with genuine late-19th-century everyday objects: tools, farming equipment and furniture. A separate highlight is the collection of traditional folk costumes, varied in origin and age. Garments from the Ansó valley stand out in particular: children's outfits, including the so-called periquillo and a christening gown worn for the cristianar ritual, as well as adult clothing such as an Ansó bride's dress, the "elástico de colorines" garment, and a dress that belonged to María Cativiela, dated 1865 — one of the oldest pieces in the collection. Together with the reconstructed interiors, these costumes form the core of the display and capture daily life in the mountain valleys more than a century ago.

What is the history behind it?

The ethnological collection came under the Museum of Zaragoza in 1976, when the former Ethnological and Natural Sciences Museum of Aragon was folded into the city museum's structure. At that point it was decided that the Pyrenean House would remain dedicated to displaying the Aragonese costume collection. Years later the section underwent a thorough renovation and reopened to visitors in June 2010 with an updated layout.

Who is it for?

The Ethnological Section suits visitors interested in folk culture, traditional crafts and the social history of the region, rather than classic fine-art museums. It makes a good complement to a visit to the main Museum of Zaragoza building, especially for those who want to see what everyday life looked like in the Pyrenean valleys before it ended up behind museum glass. Since the building sits within the green surroundings of José Antonio Labordeta Park, a walk through the park pairs naturally with the visit.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Casa Pirenaica? A building constructed in 1955 that recreates the architecture of a traditional Pyrenean house using elements drawn from several valleys of Aragón — Benasque, Ansó and Hecho, plus the Sierra de Guara area. It houses the Ethnological Section of the Museum of Zaragoza.

What is the main highlight of the exhibition? The collection of traditional folk costumes, especially garments from the Ansó valley, including a dress belonging to María Cativiela from 1865, along with reconstructed domestic interiors furnished with late-19th-century tools and household items.

Since when has the section existed in its current form? The ethnological collection was incorporated into the Museum of Zaragoza in 1976, and after renovation the section reopened to the public in June 2010.

Where exactly is this branch located? In José Antonio Labordeta Park in Zaragoza, inside the building known as the Casa Pirenaica (Pyrenean House).