The San Telmo Museum, located in the heart of San Sebastian, is much more than just an exhibition space; It is a guardian of the history, culture and soul of the Basque Country. Opened in 1902, this emblematic museum stands as the oldest museum institution in the region, offering its visitors a fascinating journey through the centuries, from prehistory to the present day. Its privileged location, in a historic 16th century Dominican convent at the foot of the majestic Mount Urgull, complemented by a modern and respectful 21st century extension, makes the San Telmo Museum in a unique and essential enclave to understand the rich Basque heritage.
Since its founding, the San Telmo Museum in San Sebastian It has played a crucial role as the main institution dedicated to the interpretation of Basque society, culture and history. Its walls have witnessed countless transformations, reflecting the ups and downs of a land with a deep and rooted identity. Through its extensive collections and innovative exhibition proposals, the museum invites us to reflect on the past, understand the present and glimpse the future of a unique community.
The Beginnings: Foundation and First Steps of the San Telmo Museum
The history of the building that today houses the San Telmo Museum It dates back to the mid-16th century (1544-1562), when a Dominican monastery was built thanks to the patronage of Alonso de Idiáquez, a prominent figure as Secretary of State to Emperor Charles V. Dominican monks consecrated this convent to Saint Elmo, the revered patron saint of seamen, a figure of great importance in a region with a strong maritime tradition.
The architectural style of the convent presents an interesting transition between Gothic and Renaissance styles, often referred to as the “Elizabethan” style. This mix can be seen in its predominantly Gothic structure, enriched with Renaissance elements on its façade. An unusual feature of the building is the location of its cloister, located at the foot of the church nave instead of on the side, a peculiarity imposed by the proximity of the imposing Mount Urgull.
The idea of creating a museum in San Sebastián began to take shape at the end of the 19th century, driven by the success of various exhibitions held in the city. It was the Basque Economic Society of Friends of the Country who, in 1900, formally proposed the creation of a municipal museum. This initiative culminated with the inauguration of the San Telmo Museum on October 5, 1902, with the presence of King Alfonso XIII, marking a milestone in the cultural history of San Sebastián.
The first headquarters of the museum was located between the central Andía and Garibai streets. However, due to growing public interest and the increase in collections, the museum moved in 1911 to Urdaneta Street, to a building that shared space with the School of Arts and Crafts and the Municipal Library, the current Post Office building. The vision of an even more suitable space to house Basque heritage led the City Council to become interested in the San Telmo convent complex in 1929, completing its acquisition in 1928. Finally, in 1932, the San Telmo Museum It reopened its doors in its current location, the old Dominican monastery, under the name of Municipal Ethnographic Museum. The opening ceremony was a cultural event of great relevance, featuring a concert conducted by the renowned composer Manuel de Falla in the convent’s church, which had been beautifully decorated with murals by the prominent artist Josep Maria Sert.
In its early years, the museum’s funds were modest, which led the then mayor to call on the citizens of San Sebastián to make donations and deposits, thus forming the initial nucleus of its valuable collection. Initially, the museum focused on ethnography and fine arts, reflecting the era’s interest in preserving traditions and promoting artistic creation. The creation of a section dedicated to ethnography in 1914 underlines the early commitment of the San Telmo Museum with the study and dissemination of Basque popular culture.
A Century of Evolution: The History of the San Telmo Museum
Throughout his extensive career, the San Telmo Museum has undergone significant transformations, adapting to the social and political changes in its environment. In 1913, the tower and cloister of the convent were declared a National Monument, recognizing their historical and architectural value. However, the Spanish Civil War and the subsequent Franco dictatorship had a notable impact on the museum’s activities and focus. During this period, the objective focused on glorifying the new political regime, with plans to dedicate rooms to the civil wars and the defense of the Alcázar of Toledo. However, in 1943, the museum board approved a reorganization with the intention of promoting the art and history of San Sebastián, Gipuzkoa and the Basque Country, seeking a balance between the exaltation of the regime and the preservation of regional heritage.
The founding of the Aranzadi Science Society in 1947, to which space was given within the museum, marked a resurgence of activities related to prehistory, paleontology and ethnography. This renaissance was further consolidated with the return from exile of the renowned anthropologist José Miguel de Barandiarán in 1953. In 1961, he proposed prioritizing ethnography over the art collection, even suggesting the creation of a Museum of the Basque Man, evidencing the growing importance given to the study of popular culture.
In the late 1980s, the City Council considered dedicating the Miramar Palace to fine arts and regency museums. However, the direction of San Telmo Museum opted for a different vision: transforming the institution into a museum dedicated to Basque culture, even contemplating the possibility of moving the artistic collections to another building. This proposal received important support in the mid-1990s from the Basque Government, which in 1995 declared the San Telmo Museum national museum of basque anthropology, consolidating its role as a reference in the study and dissemination of basque culture.
A crucial turning point in the history of the museum was the ambitious renovation, expansion and refurbishment project that began in 2007. This profound transformation culminated in the reopening of the museum in the spring of 2011 under the new name of the Museum of the Basque Society and Citizenship. The renovation, at a cost of 28.5 million euros, included a comprehensive remodeling of the historic building and the addition of an extension discreetly integrated into the slope of the mountain, designed by the prestigious architects Nieto and Sobejano. The main objective of the project was to recover the original spaces of the convent and adapt them for museum use, while adding new spaces for cultural and commercial activities, significantly improving accessibility. In recognition of its excellence, the museum received a Special Mention in the 2013 museum competition organized by the Museum Forum. In 2022, the San Telmo Museum celebrated its 120th anniversary, reaffirming its long history and its commitment to Basque culture. Currently, the museum continues to reinforce its contemporary focus, updating its permanent exhibition to include relevant topics such as ecology, migration and aging, thus seeking to connect with the concerns of today’s society.
Stories Between Walls: Anecdotes and Notable Events from the San Telmo Museum
The convent that houses the San Telmo Museum It has witnessed numerous events throughout its history. During the War of Independence in 1813, the building suffered significant damage, marking a turbulent period in its existence. Despite these vicissitudes, its historical and architectural value was recognized in 1913 with the declaration of the tower and the cloister as National Monuments. The reopening of the museum in 1932, after its transfer to the convent, was a cultural event of great magnitude, highlighted by the performance of the famous composer Manuel de Falla.
During the Franco era, the museum was intended to glorify the new regime, a reflection of the political climate of the time. However, with the passage of time, the museum has been able to reinvent itself and adapt to new social and cultural realities. The reopening in 2011, after extensive renovations, marked a new chapter in its history, consolidating itself as an important cultural reference for San Sebastián.
Over the years, the San Telmo Museum It has hosted numerous memorable exhibitions. A notable example is “Chillida and the arts. 1950-1970”, which attracted more than 30,000 visitors in its final weeks, evidencing the public’s interest in avant-garde Basque art. In addition to its temporary exhibitions, the museum organizes “San Telmo Gaua” (St. Elmo’s Night), a special, free nighttime opening that offers a unique experience with music and a unique atmosphere. In 2023, the exhibitions “Ideal Climate. Summer Posters” and “Travel to Paint. Sorolla in San Sebastián” were notable successes, attracting around 50,000 visitors, underscoring the museum’s ability to connect with diverse audiences. The museum also has a long tradition of receiving valuable donations from the Association of Friends of the San Telmo Museum, including works by prominent Basque artists, thus enriching its cultural heritage.
A curious fact in the history of the building is that, before becoming a museum, it served as an artillery barracks in the 19th century, which adds an additional layer of historical complexity to its narrative. This transformation from a religious and military space to a cultural institution reflects the changing uses and needs of the city over time.
Architectural Narrative: A Dialogue between the Past and the Present
The architecture of San Telmo Museum It is a fascinating testimony to the confluence of different eras and styles. The original structure of the convent exhibits a harmonious transition between Gothic and Renaissance styles. Its walls were built with masonry, while solid ashlar stone was used for the columns and arches, noble materials that have withstood the passage of time. Among its most notable features are the cloister, unusually located at the foot of the church, and the imposing tower, elements that evoke its monastic past. The church within the convent presents a beautiful integration of 16th century architecture with the striking 20th century paintings of Josep Maria Sert, creating a space of great artistic and spiritual value.
The 21st century extension, designed by renowned studio Nieto Sobejano Arquitectos, is respectfully and sensitively integrated into the original building, establishing a perfect dialogue between past and present. This extension presents a characteristic façade covered with plants, an innovative solution that uses perforated steel sheets to allow the growth of vegetation, thus minimizing the visual impact and favoring its integration with the natural environment of Mount Urgull. The extension houses public areas essential for the museum’s operation, such as the lobby, assembly hall, shop, library, teaching rooms and spaces for temporary exhibitions. The design also includes a large staircase that facilitates pedestrian access to Mount Urgull, fostering the museum’s connection with its surroundings, as well as outdoor exhibition spaces that enrich the visitor’s experience.
The Heart of Basque Culture: The Collections of the San Telmo Museum
He San Telmo Museum It houses an impressive collection of more than 26,000 pieces, distributed in various sections that cover ethnography, archaeology, history, photography and fine arts. The ethnography section, with more than 9,000 objects, focuses on the rich Basque traditions and ancient ancestor worship, offering a deep insight into popular customs and beliefs. The fine arts collection comprises around 6,800 works, including paintings, sculptures and prints, with a special emphasis on Basque artists of the 19th and 20th centuries, showing the evolution of art in the region. The history section has more than 2,900 pieces, mainly weapons and other objects related to different war conflicts, including the Carlist Wars, providing tangible testimony of key moments in Basque history. The archaeological collection brings together around 650 pieces of diverse origins and typologies, including steles, tombstones and heraldic shields, which connect us with the region’s most remote past. Finally, the photography collection exceeds 15,000 images, covering a wide range of topics related to history, ethnography and archaeology, highlighting the notable Galarza collection, a valuable visual archive of life in San Sebastián and its surroundings.
Among the most notable works in its collection, the museum has pieces by masters of painting such as El Greco, Tintoretto, Ribera, Rubens, Fortuny, Madrazo and Miró, offering a perspective of European art throughout the centuries. However, the collection also dedicates an important space to Basque artists, with significant works by figures such as Zamacois, Lecuona, Oteiza, Chillida, Nagel, Ameztoy, Zuloaga, Echenagusía, Arteta, Tellaeche, Zubiaurre, Lekuona, Ribera, Uzelai and Basterretxea, among others. A particular treasure of the museum are the 17 canvases by Josep Maria Sert, created especially for the church in the 1930s, which depict relevant scenes from the history of Gipuzkoa, offering a unique visual narrative of the region’s past. He San Telmo Museum It also demonstrates its commitment to contemporary art through its exhibitions that give voice to young artists, promoting creation and innovation in the current art scene.
The collections of San Telmo Museum They constitute a valuable resource to understand the history and evolution of Basque society from prehistory to the present day. It acts as the main center for the network of local museums in Gipuzkoa, playing a fundamental role in the dissemination of cultural heritage at a regional level.
San Telmo Today: Current Situation and Looking to the Future
In April 2025, the San Telmo Museum offers its visitors an interesting program of temporary and permanent exhibitions. Current exhibitions include:
- “Ipuscua 1000 years. From Ipuscua to Gipuzkoa. 1025-2025” (January 18 – May 11, 2025), a journey through the last thousand years of the history of Gipuzkoa.
- “Memory Forests” (February 22 – May 11, 2025), a reflection on the technologies of social control in totalitarian contexts through art.
- “Yesterday and Today: Craftsmanship of Popular Music” (April 11 – June 29, 2025), an exhibition dedicated to traditional Basque musical instruments and their artisans.
- “100 years. The modern and/or the contemporary”, the permanent exhibition that covers a century of Basque art.
He San Telmo Museum It has maintained a solid influx of visitors in recent years. In 2015, it exceeded 122,000 visitors, a figure that rose to 140,585 in 2019. Despite the challenges of recent years, in 2022 it welcomed 126,057 people, and in 2023 the number of visitors exceeded 154,000, approaching the exceptional figures of 2016, the year in which San Sebastián was the European Capital of the Culture.
The museum offers a wide range of educational and cultural activities for various audiences, including workshops, guided tours and themed activities. It also organizes conferences, film screenings, performances and other cultural events that enrich the visitor experience. He San Telmo Museum It actively collaborates with other cultural institutions and artists, strengthening its role as a reference center in the Basque cultural panorama.
Looking ahead, the museum will continue to develop its internal programs focused on heritage and collections, including awareness-raising, inventory, cataloguing, conservation, restoration and research. The programming for 2025 includes, in addition to the exhibitions already mentioned, projects on the 1000 years of Gipuzkoa, control in totalitarian regimes, floral motifs in textiles, the Amazon and collaborations with dance and jazz groups. He San Telmo Museum aims to continue developing its role as a center for disseminating knowledge and promoting critical thinking.
The Enduring Importance of the San Telmo Museum
He San Telmo Museum It is not only the oldest museum in the Basque Country, but also the largest dedicated to the interpretation of Basque society. It plays a fundamental role in the preservation and promotion of the rich heritage, culture and deep-rooted Basque traditions. It acts as a vital bridge between the past and the present, helping citizens understand their roots and build a future based on knowledge and reflection. The museum aspires to be much more than a simple repository of artifacts, striving to be a dynamic cultural center that promotes dialogue and reflection on contemporary social issues affecting the community. Its strategic location in the historic heart of San Sebastián makes it an accessible and essential focal point for cultural engagement. He San Telmo Museum It actively contributes to the social and economic vitality of San Sebastián, consolidating its position as a fundamental pillar of the cultural identity of the city and the Basque Country.
Conclusion
From its humble beginnings as a Dominican convent to its current status as a leading institution of Basque culture, the San Telmo Museum has come a long and fascinating path. Its rich history, impressive architecture and extensive collections make it a beacon of Basque heritage. Beyond its role as a custodian of artifacts, the museum has transformed into a dynamic center for contemporary dialogue, addressing relevant social issues and encouraging community participation. Its importance endures in its ability to connect the past with the present, offering current generations a deep understanding of their cultural roots and paving the way to a future built on a solid foundation of knowledge and reflection. He San Telmo Museum It remains a cornerstone of the cultural identity of San Sebastián and the Basque Country, a living testimony to the richness and complexity of its history and its people.
For more information about its exhibitions, activities and collections, you can visit the official website of the San Telmo Museum: https://www.santelmomuseoa.eus/
