Museo Diocesano de Palencia

Museo Diocesano de Palencia is a museum of religious art located in the historic Episcopal Palace in the centre of Palencia.

What is the Museo Diocesano de Palencia?

The museum belongs to the Diocese of Palencia and brings together religious artworks gathered from parishes across the whole province, along with pieces held by the bishopric itself. The collection holds more than 700 objects spanning the 7th to the 21st century, making it one of the oldest and best-regarded diocesan museums in Spain. Its strength lies in the range and quality of its painting, sculpture and goldsmith work.

What can visitors see in the collection?

Painting and sculpture

The galleries include paintings by Alonso Berruguete, Pedro Berruguete, Luis de Morales (known as "el Divino"), the Maestro de Becerril, Jan Provost and Juan de Villoldo. The sculpture section features Romanesque pieces from the 12th and 13th centuries alongside Gothic and Renaissance carvings attributed to Alejo de Vahía, Felipe Bigarny and Manuel Álvarez.

Goldsmith work and decorative arts

A particularly notable section is devoted to orfebrería (goldsmith and silverwork), where medieval and Renaissance processional crosses are on display. The museum also holds collections of liturgical textiles, religious archaeological objects, historic clockwork mechanisms, church ornaments and illuminated choir books.

Where is the museum located?

The museum occupies the Palacio Episcopal (Episcopal Palace), at Calle Mayor Antigua 22, close to Palencia Cathedral in the heart of the old town.

What are the opening hours and ticket prices?

Opening hours vary by day. On Mondays admission is free, from 10:30 to 12:30. Tuesday and Wednesday the museum opens from 10:30 to 13:30. From Thursday to Saturday it opens both in the morning (10:30–13:30) and the afternoon (16:30–19:30). On Sundays it is open from 10:30 to 13:30.

A standard ticket costs 5 euros. A reduced ticket — for visitors over 65, students up to age 25, and unemployed visitors — costs 3 euros, as does a group ticket for parties of 8 or more. Children under 12 and visitors with disabilities enter free of charge.

Can visitors join a guided tour?

Yes. On Tuesdays and Wednesdays guided tours run by reservation for groups of at least 8 people. From Thursday to Sunday, guided tours are offered at four fixed times — 10:30, 12:00, 16:30 and 18:00 — for groups of at least 5 people.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is the Museo Diocesano de Palencia? It is housed in the Episcopal Palace at Calle Mayor Antigua 22, in the centre of Palencia, near the cathedral.

What are the highlights of the collection? Key pieces include paintings by Alonso and Pedro Berruguete and Luis de Morales, Romanesque sculptures from the 12th and 13th centuries, and a goldsmith section with medieval and Renaissance processional crosses.

How much does admission cost? A standard ticket is 5 euros, with reduced and group tickets at 3 euros. Children under 12 and visitors with disabilities enter free, and admission is free for everyone on Monday mornings between 10:30 and 12:30.

Is a guided tour available? Yes — by reservation on Tuesdays and Wednesdays (minimum 8 people), and at four fixed daily time slots from Thursday to Sunday (minimum 5 people).