Through its important collections of minerals, rocks and fossils from all the different Spanish regions and former colonies, as well as from sites around the world, the Geominero Museum aims to preserve, research and spread the wealth and diversity of the geological, paleontological and mineralogical heritage.
The historic value of these collections must be added to their scientific importance as they date back to the creation of the Commission for the Geological Map of Spain in 1849. Since then, they have been nourished by works by the IGME (Spanish Geology and Mining Institute) for over 150 years of geological and mining research.
Located alongside the Velázquez Bosco School of Mining Engineers, the Geo-mining Museum is a unit of the Spanish Geology and Mining Institute, a Public Research Body attached to the Ministry for Science, Innovation and Universities, where the headquarters are located, having been opened in 1927 by King Alfonso XIII for the 14th International Geology Congress. The building has a monumental façade. Inside, a spectacular imperial staircase stands out, flanked by pairs of columns in artificial stone which support a glass dome. Behind this, there is an exhibition hall.
The building
It often goes unnoticed in spite of occupying one of the most unique buildings in the Chamberí district. Work of Francisco Javier de Luque, it is an extraordinary example of an early 20th century scientific museum, with a central hall full of wood carved cabinets and covered with a large zenithal window hanging from a forged iron and lead structure.
The Geominero Museum still has a lot of activity today. It usually organises educational workshops for children and adults at weekends and during the holidays.
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