Palau Gravina

Palau Gravina is an 18th-century palace in the heart of Alicante's old town, now home to the Gravina Museum of Fine Arts (MUBAG). The building was raised as the residence of Antonio Valcárcel Pío de Saboya, Count of Lumiares (1748–1808), on the site of structures destroyed during the War of the Spanish Succession — hence its alternative name, Palacio del Conde de Lumiares.

How do you get there?

The palace sits on Calle Gravina, a short walk from San Nicolás Cathedral and Ayuntamiento square, right in the middle of Alicante's historic quarter. The easiest approach is on foot through the narrow lanes of the barrio histórico, though city buses also stop nearby along Rambla Méndez Núñez.

What will you see?

The facade is built from ashlar stone quarried in the nearby Sierra de San Julián. Three entrances break up the front elevation, with the central one standing out for its richer ornamentation. The floor layout follows the classic pattern of Alicante's casas-palacio: an open ground floor with semicircular arches and rectangular windows, and a grander upper floor (planta noble) marked by windows and balconies overlooking the street.

In 2001, an adjoining building of similar style was annexed to Palau Gravina — restoration work carried out between 1998 and 2001 by the Diputación de Alicante's architectural team merged the two structures into a single exhibition space. MUBAG opened its doors here on 14 December 2001.

The museum's collection spans the 16th to 20th centuries, drawn largely from the holdings of the Diputación de Alicante alongside pieces from other major Spanish art institutions. The permanent exhibition, titled "El siglo XIX: la colección bajo una nueva mirada" ("The 19th Century: The Collection in a New Light"), brings together more than 80 works — paintings, sculpture and decorative art — including pieces by celebrated 19th-century Spanish painters such as Antonio Gisbert, Joaquín Agrasot and Emilio Sala.

When should you visit?

The palace's galleries are open year-round and climate-controlled, so the season matters less than in outdoor attractions. Mornings are the best bet in summer, when Alicante's heat makes strolling the old town more comfortable and the museum tends to be quieter than in the afternoon. Visiting outside the peak tourist season (autumn or winter) also means shorter waits and calmer galleries.

Who is it for?

Palau Gravina is a must for anyone drawn to historic architecture and Spanish art. It appeals equally to travelers looking for a cool, air-conditioned break from the summer heat and to those curious about the history of the Alicante region — the building itself is as compelling as the collection it houses.

Frequently asked questions

What is Palau Gravina? An 18th-century palace in Alicante's old town, built for the Count of Lumiares, now home to the Gravina Museum of Fine Arts (MUBAG).

Why is it also called Palacio del Conde de Lumiares? Because its original owner and patron was Antonio Valcárcel Pío de Saboya, Count of Lumiares, for whom the residence was built in the 18th century.

What can you see inside the museum? A permanent exhibition of Spanish art from the 16th to 20th centuries, featuring more than 80 works of painting, sculpture and decorative art from the Diputación de Alicante collection, including pieces by Antonio Gisbert, Joaquín Agrasot and Emilio Sala.

Is this the same as the Museum of Contemporary Art (MACA)? No — MACA occupies a separate building in Alicante and focuses on contemporary art, while Palau Gravina/MUBAG is dedicated to older and 19th-century painting and sculpture.