The collection originated from the merger of the Provincial Museum of Fine Arts and the collection of the Diputación Provincial of Asturias.
The modern expansion, designed by architect Francisco Mangado, was specifically built to connect the disparate historic palaces into a unified flow.
The museum holds a remarkably high density of works by Asturian masters like Evaristo Valle and Nicanor Piñole.
The Velarde Palace section retains original architectural features from the Baroque period, contrasting with the minimalist concrete of the new wings.
The Museum of Fine Arts of Asturias houses one of the most significant public art collections in Spain, featuring over 15,000 pieces ranging from the 14th century to the present. It occupies a complex of historic buildings, including the 17th-century Velarde Palace and the 18th-century Casa de Oviedo-Portal. The collection highlights works by El Greco, Goya, Picasso, Dalí, and Joan Miró. It uniquely emphasizes the contribution of Asturian artists alongside major national and international figures. The museum layout integrates contemporary architectural design with preserved period masonry. Rotating exhibitions frequently utilize the subterranean gallery spaces. It maintains an extensive archive of graphic art, including significant print and drawing collections.
The central staircase in the new building that visually bridges the gap between the historic palace stone walls and contemporary architectural design.
Check the museum website for the current temporary exhibition calendar, as these rotate frequently in the basement galleries.
Start your visit at the top floor of the newest wing and work your way down through the interconnected historic houses.
Audio guides are often available at the reception desk to help navigate the chronological sequence across different architectural periods.
Trying to see the entire permanent collection in under an hour, as the maze-like floor plan of the three interconnected buildings requires deliberate navigation.
Closed on Mondays.
