MARQ — Museo Arqueológico

MARQ is the modern Archaeological Museum of the Province of Alicante, housed in a former hospital in Alicante and named European Museum of the Year in 2004. Its multimedia displays trace the region's history from prehistory to the present day and show how archaeologists work in the field, in cities and underwater.

MARQ, the Archaeological Museum of the Province of Alicante, is located on Plaza Doctor Gómez Ulla in Alicante, in the former San Juan de Dios hospital, designed by Juan Vidal Ramos and built in 1926–1929. The museum was inaugurated in 1932 by the President of the Republic, Niceto Alcalá Zamora, and has been in its current building and form since 2000. In 2004 the European Museum Forum named it European Museum of the Year, an award only four museums in Spain have received, among them the Guggenheim in Bilbao. The collection numbers more than 81,000 objects, and the permanent exhibition combines original finds with stage sets, audiovisuals and interactive features. The chronological galleries lead from prehistory through the Iberian culture, the Roman era and the Middle Ages to the modern and contemporary periods. Separate galleries show how archaeologists work in the field, in cities and underwater. The field archaeology gallery recreates a cave, the underwater archaeology gallery is built around a boat and the urban archaeology gallery around a church. The Arqueociencias interactive corridor, devoted to the scientific methods of archaeological research, completes the tour. The museum also runs temporary exhibitions, theatrical tours and educational activities, including the Llumiq club for younger visitors, which makes it a good choice for adults and families with children alike. MARQ also manages archaeological sites in the province, including Roman Lucentum (Tossal de Manises), the Illeta dels Banyets and Pla de Petracos. The museum also has a specialist archaeology library and a shop. Visitors praise the modern multimedia displays, and one reviewer singles out the exhibitions explaining the work of archaeologists. Another visitor notes that in the themed galleries you can view the displays from above, from a walkway. According to one review, some of the exhibit labels are also in English. The museum is a little off the beaten track, but it is served by the tram (MARQ-Castillo stop), and one visitor suggests combining it with Santa Bárbara Castle.