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San Roque
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Museums
San Roque’s cultural facilities are rich and varied. Among the different options available to visitors keen on cultural experiences are the different museums, which include from art to archaeology, as well as bullfighting, movies and CB radio. In addition, there are exhibition halls that house different themes.
Therefore there are a wide range of alternatives for visitors who are looking for leisure options and want to find out more about the wealth of history and heritage the city of San Roque has to offer.
Carteia Museum 
This museum is an extraordinary opportunity to get to know Carteia Achaeological Site better, which is situated in the borough, through pieces found during different excavation campaigns. Different rooms take us on journey from its Phoenician and Carthaginian origins until the present day, including its splendid Imperial Roman past, the period of maximum splendour.
Visitors have the chance to enjoy a new museum site, in which they will be able to see the different pieces on show, such as household pottery, decorated cornices, different busts and figures, coins, oil lamps and oinment holders, among many other pieces. All of these make up a chronological journey from the foundation of the city of Carteia until the creation of the city of San Roque after the capture of Gibraltar by the English in 1704.
Nevertheless, what no one should miss is the wharf, which was moved from its original site in Campamento and features a really rare drainage system made up of amphorae. The spectacular bucraneum frieze, a marble relief which represents a bovine skull decorated with flower and fruit wreaths, an exquisite piece which was part of a burial or commemorative monument. For those who feel scientific curiosity, they only have take a look at a archaeological stratigraphy, which shows the different strata that archaeologists have uncovered in their excavations and is something really new as far as the typical museum is concerned.
In addition, the museum where the original Standard of Gibraltar is kept, brought by the Gibraltarians who were forced to leave the Rock when the English took over. This standard, which is made with embroidered silk, features the coat of arms of the city of San Roque. The coat of arms is the same as Gibraltar’s, except for the crown above the badge on the San Roque version. Incidentally, according to legend the standard was embroidered by Joanna the Mad, although we cannot be entirely sure if it is true, it is worth having a close look to see all its exquisite details.
The visit is complemented with audiovisual features, which allow you to find out more about the pieces and the history of the city, as well as a brand-new virtual reality experience that lets visitors relive the city at the time of its maximum splendour. The museum also has a strong presence on social media, where you can find out more about different pieces, events organised by the museum and other news to keep you up to date.
Hours from Tuesday to Friday:
In winter: 10:00 a.m. – 15:00 p.m.
In summer: 10:00 a.m. – 14:00 p.m.
Also, the first weekend of every month.
Phone: 956 780 507 – 956 780 106 ext. 2406 / 2345
E-mail: actividades.museo@sanroque.es
San Roque Municipal Museum
In actual fact, San Roque Municipal Museum features two very different sites, all equally spectacular. On the one hand, the archaeological collection dedicated to the Roman city of Carteia, located in an independent building in San Felipe Street. On the other hand, you can find the extraordinary collection of works by Luis Ortega Brú at the Governor’s Palace. This San Roque-born sculptor is considered by many to be the one of the best religious sculptor from the 20th century.
Both collections are the pride and joy of town folk and are a real pleasure for those who want to know more about local culture and heritage.
Luis Ortega Brú Museum
The ground floor of the Governor’s Palace houses the museum dedicated to the San Roque-born religious sculptor, Luis Ortega Brú. This sculptor is considered to be one of the best from the 20th century in specialised circles.
Some of the artist’s most emblematic pieces are kept in the museum, as well as different outlines and prototypes of religious statues that can be found scattered around Spain and even Latin America.
Talking about Luis Ortega Brú is talking about feelings, passion and classicism, combining a degree of innovation that makes his work something sublime. That mixture of tradition and avant-garde, his unique way of giving a totally new perspective to classical themes and his singular sense of religiousness made him an artist in a class of his own.
We can encounter several original figures at the Luis Ortega Brú Museum, among which “La Pietà” in the religious sphere and a series of small totally contemporary and conceptual sculptures stand out, making it clear that his diverse artistic spectrum was nurtured throughout his career.
In addition, outlines and models of statues which are paraded around the streets in different parts of Spain can be seen, which makes it a unique opportunity to get to know more about the creative process of this artist. The genius of Luis Ortega Brú is clearly evident in works such as The Resurrection, “La Inmaculada” from Burgos or the most surprising sculptures like the Charites or Cathedral, the last two works are pure avant-garde.
You can see a recreation of the artist’s workshop at the Museum with his original tools and work bench, something that gives visitors a totally immersive artistic experience.
Undoubtedly, Luis Ortega Brú is one of the most important religious artists from the 29th century and not only is San Roque honoured by that fact he was born here, but also for being able to cherish his memory and his artwork with a museum that we are sure will leave no visitor indifferent.
Hours from Monday to Friday:
08:00 a.m. – 15:00 p.m. in winter
08:00 a.m. – 14:00 p.m. in summer.
Phone: 956 780 106 ext. 2406 / 2345
E-mail: actividades.museo@sanroque.es
Juan Luis Galiardo
Not many people know that the famous and award-winning actor, Juan Luis Galiardo, a real movie and theatre icon, was born in San Roque. His home town was always close to his heart and this was reciprocal for local people. The city houses a permanent exhibition dedicated to his professional legacy, which can be visited at the Theatre which was given his name, located in the Alameda Square. This is how we make a tribute to his memory.
The exhibition starts with an extraordinary series of photographs with the title “Dressing Rooms” by Sergio Parra. These are a series of intimate pictures that show the actor behind the scenes before and after going on stage. These are photographs that capture the essence of the actor to perfection, his elegance and passion for this profession which part of every seconds of his life.
We can also encounter numerous personal objects, attrezzo, scripts with notes by the actor, costumes used in different roles and an endless list of curiosities that bring us closer to the work of this beloved San Roque-born actor. Undoubtedly, the jewel in the crown of this exhibition is the original Goya award that Juan Luis Galiardo received as the Best Actor in 2001 for his role in the film “Adiós con el corazón” (Goodbye from the heart) and that is kept with great pride. A real tribute to one of the most well-known actors in the Spanish cinema industry that should not be missed for any seventh art enthusiasts.
Bullfighting Museum
If San Roque Bullring is already worth visiting due to its history and singularity, bullfighting enthusiasts should not miss a visit to the Bullfighting Museum. Located within the bullring, this museum is an extraordinary journey through time, as it allows you to get to know the history of local bullfighting, as well as how it has changed over time.
The visit starts with photographs and documentation about its inauguration in 1853. It is one of the oldest bullrings in Andalusia and the second oldest one in the province of Cadiz. There are all kinds of items linked to bullfighting, such as old saddles, bullfighting costumes, different sketches and engravings that show the evolution of bullfighting. In addition, there is a historical review of the “Toro del Aguardiente” bull run along the streets of the town that ends at the Bullring. The city’s fair ends with this event in August.
A special place is also given to Manuel Ballón, El Africano, who is said to have invented the Red Cape and Sword Technique here in San Roque or for the figures of Eduardo Liceaga and Mariano El Tornero, who both died in the Bullring. The operating table used to try to save the former is still preserved and the trap door through which the bull called “Jaranero” who killed the latter, came into the arena. A memento for Luis Miguel Dominguín, the famous bullfighter, who passed away in the borough. Without a doubt, a visit to the museum is complementary to the visiting the Bullring and will not disappoint bullfighting enthusiasts.
CB Radio Museum
When we mention that San Roque’s cultural facilities are exceptional, we are not saying this for the sake of it. The CB Radio Museum, located in the Alameda Square, is literally in a class of its own and is another reason (as if there were not enough!) to visit the city. It is the only museum in Europe that is dedicated to CB-27 MHz radios and the world of ham radio. Visiting the museum is opening up to a fascinating and unknown world for most of us.
The collection features over 3,000 devices, although there are over 800 on show. Among these devices we can encounter radios, microphones and other accessories that, without a doubt, will intrigue visitors.
Apart from the actual museum pieces, you can also get to know the history of CB radio as the museum also has an extensive bibliography in several languages, as well as study tables for scholars. This is definitely a visit you should not miss and discover a new hobby.