Museo Etnolúdico de Galicia

The Museo Etnolúdico de Galicia (MELGA) in Ponteceso is a compact but richly stocked museum dedicated to traditional Galician toys, games, and folk sports. Housed in the Casa da Cultura on Avenida de Bergantiños 65, right in the centre of this Costa da Morte town, it holds one of the region's largest collections of its kind.

What will you find inside?

The exhibition displays more than 4,000 toys and game-related objects gathered from around the world, though the emphasis falls squarely on Galician heritage: wooden spinning tops, board games, equipment tied to traditional rural sports, and pieces that trace how play culture shifted across the decades. The collection is less a cabinet of curiosities than a record of local customs — from children's pastimes to the games and contests once central to village festivals.

Who built the collection?

The core holdings come from Ricardo Pérez y Verdes, an honorary professor of the history of games and traditional sports at the University of A Coruña. Over decades of research and personal collecting he assembled the objects that now form the heart of MELGA, and the museum effectively gives his lifelong study of Galician folk games a permanent home.

How do you get there, and when should you go?

The museum sits in the centre of Ponteceso, within easy reach of the town's other attractions, making it a convenient stop while touring the Costa da Morte. In the summer season, free walk-in visits are possible on Saturdays (11:00–14:00 and 17:00–20:00) and Sundays (11:00–14:00). Guided tours run daily from 11:00 to 13:00, but group bookings need to be arranged at least a week in advance and require a minimum of 15 visitors. Since hours can shift seasonally, it's worth checking the current schedule before setting out.

What else does MELGA offer?

Beyond the exhibits, the museum runs free hands-on workshops covering clay modelling, paper folding, origami, and toy-building. It's a good fit for families who want to do more than look through glass — trying out traditional techniques themselves. On guided visits, staff walk groups through the historical evolution of regional games and sports, adding context to the pieces on display.

Who is this museum for?

MELGA appeals to anyone curious about ethnography, toy history, or Galician folk culture, and it works well as an offbeat stop for families exploring the Costa da Morte. Given its modest scale, a visit rarely takes more than an hour, so it slots easily into a day that also covers other sights around Ponteceso.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is the museum located? In the Casa da Cultura at Avenida de Bergantiños 65 in Ponteceso, in the province of A Coruña.

Do I need to book in advance? Individual visits during the open hours don't require booking, but guided group tours do — at least a week ahead of time.

How many objects can you see? The collection holds more than 4,000 toys and game-related items from around the world, with a strong focus on Galician tradition.

Is the museum suitable for children? Yes — alongside the exhibition, free hands-on workshops (clay, origami, toy-building) are aimed at engaging younger visitors.