Museo Paleontológico de Alpuente

The Paleontological Museum of Alpuente is a municipally owned museum dedicated to the dissemination of paleontology and, in particular, the fossil heritage recovered in Alpuente and in the region of the Serranía de Valencia. Its function is expository and didactic: it presents dinosaur bones, fossils and basic concepts to interpret the paleontological findings of the area. The museum is located in the old Santa Barbara Chapel, in the town of Alpuente, a building that has been restored for museum use. The sources consulted do not give a precise chronology of the construction of the hermitage, so no specific date or architectural style of the building is given without risk of error. The creation of the museum responds to the scientific and patrimonial interest of the paleontological sites of Spontina and the will of the City Council to preserve and disseminate this legacy as a tourist and educational resource. Its collection is made up of specimens recovered from excavations in the area and contributions from local residents, reinforcing the link between research, local memory and territory. The visit is always guided, which confirms its interpretative rather than merely expository orientation. Due to its content and location, it is one of the most unique cultural facilities in Alpuente, associated with the paleontological heritage that distinguishes this Valencian municipality.