Museo de Baltar

Museo de Baltar is a small but remarkable museum in Ourense dedicated entirely to the work of a single artist, sculptor Arturo Baltar. It occupies the former chapel of Saints Cosmas and Damian on Plaza de San Cosmede, right by the city's historic centre.

What will you see inside?

The heart of the collection is a monumental nativity scene made up of more than a hundred clay figures. Arturo Baltar began creating it in 1967, commissioned by the local association of nativity-scene makers, and kept expanding the work over the following years. What sets it apart from a typical nativity display is that it does not stop at the biblical story of the birth of Jesus: the figures also recreate everyday life in old Ourense, with children playing in the square, a street photographer, field labourers, a tavern, an oven and travellers from the surrounding roads. Religious imagery blends with scenes of local architecture, trades and customs that have since disappeared.

Alongside the nativity scene, the exhibition space also displays altarpieces created by Baltar, together with murals and friezes that complete the artistic atmosphere of the place.

Where does this collection come from?

The chapel of Saints Cosmas and Damian was restored in 1980 specifically to give the growing collection a permanent home; before that, the nativity scene was only shown seasonally, around Christmas. It was not until 2010 that the adjoining building was renovated to create a proper exhibition space, turning Baltar's work into a year-round attraction rather than a display limited to December and January.

How do you get there?

The museum sits on Plaza de San Cosmede, in the very centre of Ourense, within easy walking distance of the cathedral and the city's main landmarks. This makes it simple to combine a visit with a stroll through the old town — worth including as one stop on a short walk around the historic quarter.

When is the best time to visit?

Opening hours are worth noting carefully: the museum welcomes visitors from Monday to Friday, between 11:00 and 14:00. It is closed on weekends and public holidays, so a visit is best planned into a weekday itinerary, ideally in the late morning. Given its compact size and intimate character, a visit typically takes somewhere between ten and thirty minutes, though it's worth taking time to look closely at the details of each scene — that's where the real value of the place lies.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where exactly is Museo de Baltar located? The museum is on Plaza de San Cosmede in Ourense, inside the former chapel of Saints Cosmas and Damian, close to the city's historic centre.

What is the main exhibit? The main attraction is a monumental nativity scene made of more than a hundred clay figures, created by Arturo Baltar from 1967 onward, complemented by altarpieces, murals and friezes he also produced.

What are the opening hours? The museum is open Monday to Friday from 11:00 to 14:00. It is closed on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays.

Is it just a regular nativity scene? Not quite — alongside the birth of Jesus, the figures also portray everyday life in old Ourense, including public squares, street photographers, field work and taverns, making it a unique record of local history and customs.