Museo de Bellas Artes Gravina (Museum of Fine Arts)
The Museum of Fine Arts is in the atmospheric historic center of Alicante, the Barrio Santa Cruz. This museum occupies the 18th-century Gravina Palace that once belonged to the Count of Lumiares. A unique collection of art created in the Alicante region, the works on display range from the medieval period until the early 20th century. Among the historical and social realism are paintings by Vicente Poveda, Ricardo Navarrete, and Heliodoro Guillén. The collection also includes exemplary portraits, such as the masterpieces by Emilio Sala, Antonio Gisbert, and Joaquin Agrasot. Be sure to see the paintings by Joaquín Sorolla, the famous Spanish Impressionist painter. Sorolla is renowned for his artworks featuring outdoor subjects and his use of light and color. The museum also hosts interesting temporary expositions throughout the year.
Museu de Fogueres
In addition to a wealth of photographs, costumes and the most popular ninot (effigy) of each year, saved from their normal fiery fate by popular vote, this museum has a great audiovisual presentation of what the Fiesta de Sant Joan, all fire and partying, means to alicantinos.
Museo de Arte Contemporáneo de Alicante
This splendid museum, inside the 17th-century Casa de la Asegurada, has an excellent collection of 20th-century Spanish art, including works by Dalí, Miró, Chillida, Sempere, Tàpies and Picasso. The pieces on display rotate regularly, as the collection is a sizeable one. The foundation of the collection was a donation by noted abstract artist Eusebio Sempere, an Alicante native who has a section to himself.
Museo Arqueológico de Alicante
This museum has a strong collection of ceramics and Iberian art. Exhibits are displayed to give the visitor a very visual, high-tech experience, and it’s all beautifully presented. There are also high-quality temporary exhibitions.
