National Archaeological Museum

The National Archaeological Museum (MAN), which houses one of the world's most important collections of antiquities, has reopened after a comprehensive six-year renovation, making it one of the city's most visited museums. Through the material culture of the various Mediterranean civilizations, it takes visitors on a journey from prehistory to the 19th century. Located in the heart of the Salamanca district, it covers a number of chapters in the universal history of art not represented in the major art galleries of the nearby Paseo del Arte, such as Greek ceramics, Visigothic votive crowns, and Hispano-Muslim ivories. From now on, the rich collections of this institution, founded in 1867, are displayed according to a new museological plan that gives equal importance to the archaeological value of the pieces as to their artistic value, and which is complemented by videos, information panels, models, and displays with replicas of the original objects that can be touched. But in the new MAN (National Archaeological Museum), the Lady of Elche continues to occupy a privileged place. When compared with other Iberian works, the proportion and balance of her face are striking, indicating a strong influence of Greek art. However, the beads and the tunic are clearly local and represent a perfect example of Iberian attire. Contrary to what had been thought, some historians suggest that it was originally a full-body seated sculpture that was later converted into a bust. Like many sculptures of the period, the Lady of Elche has a cavity in the back, which is said to have been used to store relics. Some theories suggest that the Lady of Elche was a goddess, while others believe she represented a queen or a deceased woman.