Palacio de Marques de Dos Aguas – in Valencia

You may be aware that I am a lover of painted ceramics, so when I discovered that there was a ceramics museum in Valencia I immediately put it on my list of must-sees.

When I arrived I discovered that the museum is housed in the most delicious concoction of over-the-top baroque and Rococo, in the Palacio de Marques de Dos Aguas.

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The ornate exterior

The exterior is covered with ornate marble decoration in sugar almond shades and the huge carved alabaster entrance was designed by Hipólito Rovira and alludes to the two rivers Turia and Júcar of the Marques’ title. There’s even a painted-gilt Cinderella coach to greet you in the entrance and the marble decoration continues inside as you walk up the stairs.

An interior reminiscent of Versailles

As you progress through the first floor of the Palacio you pass through room after room smothered with colourful plasterwork and marble decoration with enormous chandeliers sparkling in the gilded mirrors – its like a mini Versailles.

The palacio dates back to the 15th century but the exterior was remodelled in the 1740s and and the interiors redecorated in the Rococo style in the 1850s. In 1949 the building was acquired by the Department of Education to house an important ceramics collection which had been donated to the state.

Viewing gorgeous Spanish ceramics

When you’ve progressed through the many delightful rooms and admired the beautiful paintings and decorations, you reach the ceramics collections themselves. The highlights for me were the colourful painted Spanish tiles and ceramics, including the replica of a tiled Spanish kitchen on the top floor.

You really shouldn’t miss it as a candy floss contrast to the clean, modern lines of the City of Art and Sciences. The museum is free on Saturday afternoon and Sunday but otherwise costs €2.40 entrance.

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You can see all my photos from the museum on my Flickr site here.

This article is originally published at Heatheronhertravels.com

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