Lace Museum and Didactic Center of Castilla and León
The Lace Museum of Castilla and León started as the result of the need to recover the different types of historical lace that have originated from this region and were almost extinguished. The main goal of the Museum is to show laces that were very relevant in former times, and that have remained forgotten, as well as to make people aware of how important those laces were, and actually are, for the traditional culture of Castilla and Leon.
It is located in the historical downtown of Tordesillas, in a house from the 17th century, which has been restored for the Museum.
Nowadays there are many people interested in knowing and studying this collection of laces that are the result of thirty years of collecting, researching and restoring.
It is a thriving museum because often, during its didactic visits, people become interested in many of the many attractive aspects offered by the unending world of lace, may it be within its history, design or technique. In its classroom, courses and workshops are offered, where anyone can learn about the history of lace, design procedures and techniques of different European laces, with special emphasis on the historical laces of Castilla and León: pasamanos, neddlework, bobbin lace, macramé, malla, and embroideries that in former times were part of items that were decorated with lace. The Museum also has the designs of these laces as well as some faithful reproductions of items that had almost disappeared or even new designs that have been created for exclusive items. Although the main goal is to recover and keep the techniques of laces from Castilla and León, the Didactic Center pays special attention to other European laces, particularly those that influenced the Spanish ones.
The Museum consists of five rooms open to the public, which show part of the collection, and where both erudite and popular laces made mainly in the region are represented. It also includes work from other countries and instruments for the transformation of textiles from former times. Laces, embroideries, clothing, liturgical pieces, ritual cloths, household items, etc. are displayed to the public.
Several awards support the international prestige of this museum, frequently visited by people in charge of other schools and museums in other countries, either to analyze and learn about our laces or to attend specialized workshops. Another tool for research offered by the Museum is a broad library specialized in textile arts and clothing.
This collection has a private nature
SCHEDULE OF VISITS
INDIVIDUAL VISIT
Monday to Friday, from 17:00 to 20:00
Saturday: from 12.00 to 14.00 and from 17.00 to 20.00
Sunday: from 12.00 to 14.00
Groups always with previous booking
Visits are always guided (in Spanish) at no extra charge.
LIBRARY AND RESEARCH SECTION:
Restricted to researchers, and with previous booking.
(Translation from Spanish: Beatriz Centeno)