Municipal Knife-making Museum of Albacete
The Municipal Knife-making Museum of Albacete is an original and fascinating space tracing the history of the art of cutlery from its beginnings to the present day.
The Casa del Hortelano
Housed in the Casa del Hortelano, an early-20th-century mansion designed by architect Daniel Rubio on the Plaza de la Catedral in Albacete. Its façade is notable for traditional green tiles.
Museum collections
Spread across 1,500 m² of exhibition space, the rooms display:
- Prehistoric blades: Iron Age tools made of flint and bronze.
- Roman and Visigothic periods: ceremonial and utilitarian knives from archaeological sites.
- 17th–19th centuries: nearly 500 European pieces with handles of silver, bone, and mother-of-pearl.
- Albacete cutlery: locally crafted knives and blades from the 15th century to today.
A unique museum in Europe
One of only three cutlery museums in Europe—alongside Solingen (Germany) and Thiers (France)—and the sole institution in Spain offering such a comprehensive overview of this artisanal craft.
Activities & temporary exhibitions
- Guided tours: expert-led walks explaining techniques, styles, and manufacturing processes.
- Educational workshops (free): hands-on sessions for schools and the general public about the cutler’s craft.
- Temporary exhibitions: national and international showcases complementing the permanent collection.
Practical information
- Address: Plaza de la Catedral, s/n, Albacete.
- Hours: check the Albacete City Council website (typically Tuesday–Sunday).
- Admission: reduced rates for students and seniors; free for under-6s.
- Accessibility: fully adapted for visitors with reduced mobility.
Discover how tradition, design, and craftsmanship merge in every blade and handle at the Municipal Knife-making Museum—a living legacy of Albacete’s deepest artisanal identity.
How to get there
Decimal: 38.996111°, -1.856389°
DMS: 38°59'46" N, 1°51'23" O
