Museo de Málaga (Palacio de la Aduana)

The Museo de Málaga is housed in the Palacio de la Aduana, the former customs house on the Plaza de la Aduana at the foot of the Alcazaba in the Centro Histórico of Málaga, Andalusia, Spain. The neoclassical building was commissioned in the 18th century as the customs house of the port and was used for other administrative purposes before being converted into a museum. After a long restoration, it reopened in 2016 as the new home of the provincial Fine Arts Museum and Archaeological Museum, which had been separate institutions. The museum brings together two major collections under one roof. The archaeological collection documents the province from prehistory through Phoenician, Roman and Islamic Málaga, with pieces including sculptures, mosaics, inscriptions, ceramics and finds from sites such as Antequera and the Roman city of Cartima. A notable item is the Lex Flavia Malacitana, a bronze law from the Roman period, though visitors should confirm which pieces are on display. The fine arts collection ranges from the 16th to the 20th century and includes Spanish and Andalusian painting and sculpture, with works by Luis de Morales, José de Ribera, Murillo, Pedro de Mena and Málaga artists of the 19th century. The display is arranged chronologically, with archaeology on the lower floors and art on the upper floors, supported by explanatory panels. The building's central courtyard and staircase preserve the character of the original customs house, while the galleries have been modernised. The museum is operated by the regional government, the Junta de Andalucía, and the building is in good condition after restoration. A visit typically takes between one and two hours, depending on the interest in each collection.