The finest collection of contemporary art in a 17th-century palace
Hortensia Herrero is a renowned art collector and a major patron of Valencian culture. The centre that bears her name houses more than one hundred works of contemporary art from her private collection. You’ll find pieces by leading national and international artists, from Joan Miró, Antoni Tàpies and Manolo Valdés to Anish Kapoor, Anselm Kiefer and Roy Lichtenstein.
The 17th-century Palace of Valeriola, which houses the collection, is just as special as the pieces themselves. Look around and you’ll discover elegant, coffered ceilings and traditional Valencian tiles, as well as archaeological remains from Roman and medieval Valencia.
The visit continues in a modern adjoining building that houses the digital art works. Save some time for the final room, in the basement. Alongside the remains of the Roman circus and a charming, landscaped courtyard, you can learn more about the history of this extraordinary museum.
Why visit the Hortensia Herrero Art Centre
- It features works by more than 50 internationally renowned contemporary artists
- It preserves beautiful architectural and decorative elements from the former Valeriola Palace
- It includes artworks created exclusively for specific spaces within the centre
- It is built over remains of the ancient Roman circus of Valentia
What to see at the Hortensia Herrero Art Centre
The centre has 17 rooms that can be visited independently or as part of 90-minute guided tours, so you don’t miss a single detail.
Site-specific artworks
Discover pieces created by world-class artists for specific spaces, such as Tempesta by Jaume Plensa and Corona Australis by Tomás Saraceno in the entrance hall. Don’t miss the reference to the Fallas by Mat Collishaw or the striking tunnel by Olafur Eliasson.
Manolo Valdés Collection
The centre houses the largest display of works by Valencian artist Manolo Valdés, including iconic sculptures such as his Reina Mariana.
The World of Irreversible Change
This fascinating interactive installation by TeamLab depicts a medieval Japanese village that reacts to changes in its environment. Be careful what you do: you could trigger a war and destroy the village (and the artwork) forever.
Roman circus
A video of a galloping horse gives you the clue. You’ve arrived at the circus of Roman Valentia. The archaeological remains were discovered during the restoration of the Valeriola Palace.
