The Ministry of Culture promotes European Archaeology Days with activities for all audiences

Poster for the 'European Archaeology Days' promoted by the Ministry of Culture

The Ministry of Culture is promoting the European Archaeology Days, which have been celebrated at the European level since 2019 to highlight archaeological work and bring the public closer to a rich heritage related to the history and cultures of the past.

The programme of activities includes the now traditional 'Open for excavation', which allows the public to visit archaeological sites under excavation, as well as children's workshops, conferences for professionals or workshops and visits for people interested in the subject. In addition, new institutions such as Patrimonio Nacional (National Heritage) and the Galería de las Colecciones Reales (Royal Collections Gallery) have joined the initiative with more proposed activities. The full programme is available on the website of the European Archaeology Days in Spain.

For its part, the Ministry of Culture, in collaboration with the Principality of Asturias, is organising the visit 'The astronomical landscape of the Castro de Coaña site', to find out how the communities that inhabited this place 2,000 years ago organised their lives and rituals according to the solar cycles. The activity will culminate with an astronomical observation, turning this ancient castro into a privileged observatory under the stars. The activity will take place on 13 June 2026 and registration is required.

In addition, the Spanish Cultural Heritage Institute (IPCE) is organising a series of online conferences on 11 and 12 June 2026 under the title 'Roots that transform: archaeology and development'. They will address archaeological practice from new perspectives such as community archaeology, participatory archaeology, archaeology for development or archaeology in conflict zones. This activity also requires prior registration.

Activities in state museums

The state museums of the Ministry of Culture have also scheduled activities to bring archaeology closer to the public. The National Archaeological Museum (MAN) will offer special tours of its internal spaces from 9 June 2026, subject to prior registration. It will also host the conference 'Palaeofiction' on 10 June and a round table on 'Archaeology and international cooperation: a century of Spanish-French collaboration in Spain' on 18 June. On the weekend of 13 and 14 June 2026, it will also offer workshops on Roman mosaics and other workshops for families. The full programme of activities is available on the website.

Also in Madrid, the Museo de América is organising a workshop for families, entitled 'Archaeologists of the Afterlife', which will explore the symbolism of death in Andean and Mesoamerican cultures on Sunday 14 June. Prior registration is required.

The National Museum of Roman Art in Mérida is focusing on goldsmithing with a guided tour on Sunday 12 June, a jewellery workshop on Saturday 13th and the recreation of 'The Roman woman's boudoir' on Sunday 14 June 2026. Details and registration information can be found on their website.

In Toledo, the Museo del Greco is organising a guided tour of the site of Guarrazar on Saturday 13th, with prior registration, and on Sunday 14th the Sephardic Museum is hosting a workshop for children 'Reading the Jewish quarter'.

As for the National Museum of Underwater Archaeology (ARQVA) in Cartagena, its scheduled events are geared towards the general public with a guided tour of its restoration laboratory on Sunday 12 June, and a family workshop on Monday 13 June. Registration information is available on their website.

Finally, in Santillana del Mar, the National Museum and Research Centre of Altamira will host various experts on Saturday 13th who, as part of the 'Let's Talk About Archaeology' activity, will share their projects, hypotheses and anecdotes about archaeological practice with the visiting public.

Non official translation