Museo del Vidrio y Cristal, Malaga

The Museum of Glass and Crystal in Malaga has a private collection of over 3,000 glass and crystal objects, although only 1,000 exhibits are showcased at a given time. The owner of the museum is Gonzales Fernandez Pietro, a Malaga resident with a passion for collecting glass and crystal, period furniture and art. He is also the first recipient of the Malaga Culture Award instituted by the city to honor its citizens in 2010.

The museum opened its doors to visitors in 2009. The collection is housed in an 18th-century palace, once owned by a wealthy Italian family. Each room is decorated with furniture, glass and crystal of a specific period. Where exhibits are from the 18th century, the room is decorated with 18th-century furniture. The glass and crystal items range from Egyptian and Roman objects to contemporary glass sculpture.

Exhibits at the museum include 1880 English pre-Raphaelite stained glass windows by Albert Moore and objects from every famous glass manufacturer like Lalique, Wedgewood, Webb, Galle, Daum and La Granja. There is also a Henry Gervex painting called the Red Dress and a portrait of the owner’s grandfather as a young boy standing with his mother.

Why You Should Visit:
To spend a great time with a great guide full of information about glass, crystal, the beautiful house & the contents, pictures, furniture, and how this delight came to be gathered together 20 years ago.
Guided tours only (English/Spanish), and very much unlike the usual museum visits – highly recommended particularly if you have any interest in decorative glass.

Tip:
It's worth checking the website as concerts and events are held in the beautiful covered courtyard.