Museo del Grabado Español Contemporáneo

Museo del Grabado Español Contemporáneo is a small but distinctive museum of printmaking tucked into the old town of Marbella, on Spain's Costa del Sol. Housed in the historic Bazán Hospital — a building representing 16th-century Renaissance civil architecture — it has focused exclusively on graphic art since opening in 1992, making it something of a rarity among regional Spanish museums.

How did the collection come together?

The foundation-museum was established through a donation by art historian José Luis Morales y Marín, who gave the city of Marbella 1,350 works of graphic art by contemporary Spanish artists. It was formally inaugurated on November 28, 1992. Since then, the collection has grown steadily through further gifts from private collectors and from artists working in engraving and printmaking themselves, and it now holds more than 4,000 pieces.

What will you see inside?

The collection spans an unusually wide time range — from 15th-century engravings through to contemporary work. Among the artists represented are names familiar from the broader history of modern art, including Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dalí, Antoni Tàpies and Joan Miró, alongside many Spanish printmakers working in techniques such as etching, lithography and woodcut. The permanent display is regularly supplemented by temporary exhibitions that rotate through the museum's rooms.

How do you get there?

The museum sits in the heart of Marbella's old town, among the narrow, winding streets typical of Andalusian historic centres. The easiest way to reach it is on foot, walking from Plaza de los Naranjos toward the old quarter — it's the kind of place many visitors stumble across while exploring the centre rather than seeking out directly. Travellers arriving from elsewhere on the Costa del Sol can use Marbella's bus station as a starting point; from there it's a walk of only a few minutes to the old town.

When should you visit?

It's worth timing a visit outside the peak summer months (July–August), when the old town gets crowded and the museum's compact interior is easier to enjoy at a relaxed pace. The museum also runs cultural and educational programming throughout the year — conferences, engraving workshops, and the annual National Engraving Awards (Premios Nacionales de Grabado) — so it's worth checking the events calendar if you're after more than just the permanent collection.

Why visit?

It's a rare chance to trace the development of printmaking across five centuries in a single space — from early print techniques to the experiments of 20th-century avant-garde masters. The museum's intimate scale and the historic rooms of the former Bazán Hospital give the visit a different character than a large institution would: quieter and more contemplative, without the crowds found at the coast's more popular attractions.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is the museum located? In Marbella's old town, inside the historic former Bazán Hospital building, among the narrow streets of the historic centre.

How many works does the collection include? More than 4,000 graphic art pieces, ranging from 15th-century engravings to contemporary work.

Does the collection include famous artists? Yes — artists represented include Picasso, Dalí, Tàpies and Miró, among many others.

Does the museum host additional events? Yes, it regularly holds temporary exhibitions, engraving workshops, conferences, and the annual National Engraving Awards.