Museo Histórico Municipal de Écija

The Municipal History Museum of Ecija (Spanish: Museo Historico Municipal de Ecija) is a history and archaeology museum located in Ecija, Seville Province, Spain. Conceived as a city museum, it interprets the history of Ecija through its material remains, placing archaeological objects within their social, economic, and ideological contexts. The institution serves as a modern, dynamic cultural center that promotes scientific research, supports archaeological projects, and plays a prominent role in the cultural and tourist life of the municipality.

The permanent exhibition occupies approximately 650 square meters and is organized into five archaeology rooms. The holdings encompass artifacts spanning from pre-Roman periods to the Al-Andalus era, including Tartessian jewelry, warrior stelae, Roman epigraphy, and anthropological collections from Late Antiquity and the Islamic period. Beyond the permanent archaeological displays, the museum features a Stables Hall exhibiting carriages, harnesses, and equestrian artifacts, a temporary exhibition hall that has hosted over 350 exhibitions across various disciplines, and an archaeological library with more than 4,000 volumes.

Standout pieces include the pre-Roman Ecija Plaque found in the surrounding campina and a set of six large Roman mosaics from the ancient city of Astigi, representing one of the largest mosaic collections from Hispania. These mosaics are identified as the Mosaic of the Oceans, the Mosaic of the Gift of Wine, the Mosaic of the Seasons, the Mosaic of the Triumph of Bacchus, the Mosaic of the Nereids, and the Mosaic of the Double Rape. Another signature work is the iconic Wounded Amazon, a two-meter-tall Roman sculpture retaining traces of polychromy, discovered in February 2002 in the Plaza de Espana of Ecija during the construction of an underground parking lot on the site of the Roman forum of Astigi.

The museum is housed in the Benameji Palace, a designated Historic-Artistic Monument and a prime example of eighteenth-century Ecija Baroque architecture. The recovery of the building for museum use preserved a significant local landmark while providing a monumental setting for the historical collections. The site includes the former stables, which have been repurposed to display the equestrian collection and are designed as a future visitor center for the city.

The museum is located at Plaza de la Constitucion in Ecija, Seville. While the museum itself offers free admission, access to the Benameji Palace requires a ticket acquired through the entity Ciudades Medias/Tu Historia. The institution receives around 25,000 visitors annually, including organized groups and international tourists, and runs educational programs for primary and secondary students. Facilities include a shop, a cafeteria-restaurant named Las Ninfas, a cloakroom, and full accessibility with an elevator and adapted restrooms. From September 19 to June 15, hours are Tuesday to Friday 10:00 to 13:30 and 16:30 to 18:30, Saturday 10:00 to 14:00 and 17:30 to 20:00, and Sunday and holidays 10:00 to 15:00. Summer hours from June 16 to September 18 are Tuesday to Friday 10:00 to 14:30, Saturday 10:00 to 14:30 and 20:00 to 22:00, and Sunday and holidays 10:00 to 15:00. The museum is closed on Mondays, January 1, January 6, and December 25.