Cristobal Balenciaga Museum

The Cristóbal Balenciaga Museum, inaugurated on 7 June 2011, is located in Getaria, the couturier’s birthplace and the setting for his formative years and professional development, which are essential to understanding his contribution to the world of fashion.

With the aim of showcasing Balenciaga’s life and work, his importance in the history of fashion and design, and the contemporary relevance of his legacy, the Museum houses a unique collection. Its breadth—over 5,100 pieces in a body that continues to grow thanks to loans and donations—and its formal and chronological scope—including, for instance, the earliest surviving designs by Balenciaga—make this collection one of the most comprehensive, coherent and fascinating.

The Museum offers a journey through its collection that begins with a visit to the biographical gallery, which helps visitors situate the master of haute couture within his historical and geographical context. The following rooms house the display of the collection, which is renewed annually.

The spaces of the adjoining Aldamar Palace are dedicated to temporary exhibitions.

 In addition to exhibitions, activities such as courses, lectures and educational workshops are organised for a wide audience, complementing the visitor’s experience.