Museu Nacional de Ceràmica González Martí

The González Martí National Ceramics Museum holds a world-famous ceramics collection inside the Palace of the Marqués de Dos Aguas, whose alabaster doorway is one of the most photographed sights in the city. It's a double museum: the richness of the pieces is matched by the luxury of the palace rooms that house them.

History and building

The palace grew out of a Gothic building that the 3rd Marquis of Dos Aguas transformed into an opulent mansion around 1740. The famous alabaster doorway, designed by Hipólito Rovira and carved by Ignacio Vergara, is an allegory of the marquessate's title: on each side of the door, two atlantes pour out a pitcher of water, the "two waters" (dos aguas). The palace was declared a monument in 1941, and in 1949 the State acquired it to house the collection donated by Manuel González Martí and Amelia Cuñat. The museum opened in 1954.

What to see

• The largest national ceramics collection, from medieval pieces to designs by Picasso.
• The 19th-century Valencian kitchen, fully clad in tiles.
• The state carriages, including the "Carriage of the Nymphs", and the palace rooms with their original décor.

Practical tips

• It's right in the Ciutat Vella, next to the Silk Exchange and the Plaza Redonda.
• Open Tuesday to Sunday. Throughout summer 2026 entry is free for everyone because of façade restoration work; temporary access is via Calle Poeta Querol no. 2, and the rest of the year there are the usual free-entry slots.
• Pair it with the Silk Museum to grasp the splendour of Valencian craftsmanship.

Insider tip

Don't stop at the doorway: many tourists photograph it from outside and walk on without knowing what it hides within. The Valencian kitchen and the carriage hall are the real surprises, and the alabaster doorway conceals the visual pun of the "two waters" that gives the palace its name. Afterwards, keep discovering the city with our guide to what to do in València or lose yourself among more places in the old town.