Museo Etnográfico de Castilla y León, Regional ethnographic museum in Zamora, Spain
The Ethnographic Museum of Castilla y Leon is a multi-story building in Zamora housing roughly 10,000 objects that document traditional crafts and regional practices. Each floor focuses on different aspects of life, from agricultural tools to religious expression and family customs.
The building opened as a museum in 2002 and stands on the site of the former Royal Prison of Zamora dating from 1593. This transformation from jail to cultural institution reflects how the city's role has changed over centuries.
The museum displays ceramics and crafts that have been passed down through generations and remain part of the region's identity today. Visitors see everyday objects that reveal how people lived and worked in these communities across time.
The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday with morning and early evening hours. It is wise to check opening times in advance, as these shift on holidays and special occasions.
The building uses an ingenious system of roof skylights to bring natural light into the exhibition spaces. At the same time, it has a windowless facade facing Plaza Viriato to protect this historic square.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
