Bolarque Museum takes part in International Museum Day with free entry over the weekend

The Naturgy Foundation’s Bolarque Museum is taking part in International Museum Day (IMD). This event will be celebrated on 18 May in order to raise public awareness of cultural heritage. The Bolarque Museum focuses on the history of energy through technological advances and changes in society and industry.

To mark International Museum Day, entry to the Bolarque Museum will be free for two days (Saturday 18 May from 10 am to 6 pm and Sunday 19 May from 10 am to 2 pm). Anyone can come and no bookings are required. Furthermore, a guided tour of the permanent exhibition will be organised on Sunday 19 May at 11 am, although places are limited. To book, please call 949 377 994 or write to museobolarquefgnf@naturgy.com.

This is the Naturgy Foundation’s way of supporting the “One Museum, One Friend” initiative promoted by the Guadalajara Provincial Council to raise the profile of museums throughout the province.

The Naturgy Foundation Director for Education, Outreach and Heritage, Eva Buch, highlighted the legacy housed in Bolarque. “As part of its efforts to promote actions aimed at preserving and communicating the historical-industrial heritage of gas and electricity, the Naturgy Foundation is developing a programme at the Bolarque Museum that combines a permanent exhibition with organising activities and workshops for all. We can proudly say that the Salto de Bolarque Hydropower Plant is not only a global benchmark in terms of efficiency but also a fine example of how to preserve and promote the industrial, technological and cultural wealth to be found in this region and Spain as a whole”, she said.

The International Council of Museums (ICOM) has been organising International Museum Day since 1977 to raise public awareness about the role of museums in social development. This year, the slogan will be “Museums as Cultural Hubs. The future of tradition” to underline the fact that museums are constantly reinventing themselves to become even more innovative, public-focused, community-oriented, flexible, adaptable and mobile.

The legacy of the Naturgy Foundation’s Bolarque Museum

The Bolarque Museum is located in the foothills of the Altomira Mountains where the river Guadiela flows into the river Tagus to the south-west of La Alcarria. It was opened in 1977 to conserve industrial heritage through its collection, which tells the story of Spain’s energy sector. At present, there are over 1,000 pieces in the Bolarque Museum’s collection, including original items and documents, period furniture and machinery. A collection of photographs showing the hydropower plant being built and in operation is especially notable.

Naturgy Foundation

The Naturgy Foundation, set up by the power company in 1992, seeks to educate, train, inform and raise awareness throughout society of energy and environmental issues. It also develops social action programmes both nationally and internationally, in particular by supporting initiatives aimed at alleviating energy vulnerability.