Museo Galego do Xoguete e a Marioneta

The Museo Galego do Xoguete e a Marioneta, in Lalín, is one of the few museums in Spain dedicated entirely to puppetry and the history of toys. Founded in 2001, the museum has occupied the restored halls of the baroque Pazo de Liñares since December 2014 — a 17th-century manor house that once belonged to the Taboada family, one of the most prominent noble lineages in Galicia.

How did this museum come to be?

The museum grew out of an agreement between the Lalín town council and Viravolta, a puppet theatre company that had spent years building and maintaining a collection of performance puppets. Today the palace permanently displays more than 300 puppets and marionettes spanning different eras and continents. Alongside it sits the A. Chaves collection, comprising over a thousand toys tied to the circus, cinema, transport, and the animal world.

What will you see inside?

The ground floor houses a room dedicated to circus, cinema, and puppet theatre, tracing how these three forms of entertainment overlapped and influenced one another over the decades. A separate multimedia room screens an audiovisual piece created specifically for the museum, exploring imagination as the thread connecting play and puppet art.

Moving through the rooms, visitors can follow the evolution of toys — from simple, handmade objects to more elaborate 20th-century designs. The puppet section, meanwhile, illustrates how the craft developed on different continents, from traditional shadow theatre to European string marionettes. For many visitors, it's precisely this juxtaposition of cultures and eras under one roof that leaves the strongest impression.

The Pazo de Liñares itself is worth the visit independent of the exhibits — its baroque architecture, stone façades, and preserved layout provide a fitting backdrop for the collections and stand as an example of Galician manor-house building from the period.

How do you get there?

Lalín sits in the province of Pontevedra, in the Deza region, in central Galicia. It's a key transport hub between Santiago de Compostela and the inland areas of the region, which makes driving the most convenient way to arrive — the town lies on the main roads connecting the coast with Galicia's interior. Regional buses also run to Lalín from larger towns in the province. The Pazo de Liñares stands in the town centre itself, so once you've parked, it's an easy walk to the entrance.

When should you visit?

The museum can be visited year-round, and since the exhibits are indoors, it's a solid option even on the cooler or rainier days common in this part of Galicia. It's worth checking current opening hours on the Lalín town council's website before your visit, as they can vary seasonally. Lalín is also known for its local festivals and cultural events — pairing a museum visit with one of these can add an extra layer to the trip.

Who is this museum for?

The exhibition appeals both to families with children and to anyone with an interest in theatre or craft history. Children will enjoy the colourful toys and puppets from different periods, adults will appreciate the historical context and craftsmanship on display, and architecture enthusiasts will find plenty to admire in the baroque palace itself.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where exactly is the museum located? Inside the Pazo de Liñares, a historic manor house in the town of Lalín, in the province of Pontevedra, in Galicia's Deza region.

How many pieces are on display? The permanent collection includes more than 300 puppets and marionettes, plus the A. Chaves collection of over a thousand toys related to the circus, cinema, and transport, among other themes.

Is the museum suitable for children? Yes — the toy and puppet theme, along with the colourful, visual nature of the exhibits, makes it especially appealing for families with children.

Is the manor house itself worth seeing beyond the museum? Definitely — the Pazo de Liñares is a 17th-century baroque residence built for the Taboada family, and it's worth a visit for its architecture alone.