The museum holds the extensive treasure recovered from the 'Nuestra Señora de las Mercedes' after a multi-year legal battle with the treasure hunting company Odyssey Marine Exploration.
The building's design features a large, sloped concrete plaza that descends towards the harbor, visually connecting the museum to the water.
It preserves a rare Phoenician lead anchor stock, one of the oldest items in its collection.
The exhibition includes the 'Mazarón 2' boat, a remarkably preserved Phoenician ship dating back to the 7th century BC.
The museum uses specialized, temperature-controlled laboratories to stabilize waterlogged wood and metal artifacts salvaged from the seafloor.
A portion of the museum is built partially underground to recreate the sensation of being beneath the water's surface.
The National Museum of Underwater Archaeology (ARQUA) serves as the primary repository for Spain's underwater heritage, housed in a modern building designed by architect Guillermo Vázquez Consuegra. The museum's collection spans from the Phoenician period to the 19th century, featuring artifacts salvaged from shipwrecks across the Mediterranean and Atlantic. Its most significant acquisition includes thousands of gold and silver coins recovered from the frigate Nuestra Señora de las Mercedes. The exhibits highlight the evolution of maritime trade, ancient navigation techniques, and the history of shipbuilding in the Iberian Peninsula. Visitors can view large-scale replicas of ancient hulls and study the tools used by marine archaeologists. The facility also functions as a center for research, preservation, and the restoration of submerged archaeological materials. The architecture itself reflects a maritime theme, with a prominent submerged exhibition hall that mimics the depths of the sea. It is officially managed by the Spanish Ministry of Culture.
From the exterior sloped plaza looking toward the harbor, or the striking view of the interior architecture from the mezzanine level.
Check the official website for rotating temporary exhibitions before arrival.
Prioritize the lower-level galleries first, as they contain the most significant shipwreck artifacts.
Combine your visit with a walk along the adjacent harbor to see the active naval shipyards.
Do not attempt to touch the artifacts, even those housed in open-top displays, as they are chemically sensitive.
Closed on Mondays throughout the year.
No photography with flash permitted in galleries; silence is requested in designated restoration zones.
