Casa de las Ciencias

On the northern bank of the Ebro River, surrounded by picturesque views of the old town of Logroño, lies an unusual center for the popularization of knowledge — the House of Sciences (Casa de las Ciencias). This is a unique space in Spain, combining the austere industrial architecture of the early 20th century with modern educational technologies.

Casa de las Ciencias. Иллюстрация. Источник: Kupi.com AI

The building, designed by architect Luis Barrón, once served as the city slaughterhouse, but in 1999 it found a completely different life. Today, covering an area of more than 600 square meters, there are exhibition halls that regularly host displays dedicated to various fields of science — from physics and biology to paleontology.

Special attention is deserved by the Jardín de las Ciencias — the "Science Garden," spread out right at the entrance. This is an interactive open-air space where visitors of all ages can learn about the laws of nature by playing with physical instruments, studying a weather station, or examining replicas of dinosaur tracks. Admission to the exhibitions is free, making it one of the city's most accessible and interesting cultural spots.

To plan your visit to the House of Sciences, it is helpful to have current contact information at hand. You can always check information about current exhibitions on the official website or by phone.

A visit here is not just about viewing exhibits, but a real intellectual adventure for the whole family. Four halls on the ground floor host temporary exhibitions that are updated up to ten times a year, so every visit can bring new discoveries in various fields of knowledge — from the secrets of the microworld to engineering achievements.

Be sure to spend time in the interactive Science Garden. Here, interacting with all the objects is allowed and even encouraged: you can spin a giant pirouette to study the laws of motion, play the musical stones and xylophone, or watch a real water vortex form. For lovers of antiquity, the facade features a replica of dinosaur footprints found in Cornago, a reminder of the region's rich paleontological heritage.

On the second floor of the center, you can visit a 100-seat conference hall, which often screens popular science films or hosts public lectures. If you are traveling with children, ask about the workshop schedule in the classrooms — it's a great opportunity for young researchers to experience "big science" in a playful way.

The House of Sciences is located in an extremely picturesque spot — on the north bank of the Ebro River, at C. del Ebro, 1. If you are in the old quarter of Logroño, the most pleasant way to get here is on foot. Simply cross the river via the historic Stone Bridge (Puente de Piedra) or the Iron Bridge (Puente de Hierro), and you will find yourself right at the entrance to the museum, which stands on the famous Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route.

For those who prefer public transport, municipal buses run to the city center, and from their stops, it's just a few minutes' walk across the bridge to the building. If you decide to take a taxi from the center, the ride will take literally 5 minutes.

If you are traveling by car, follow the old N-111 highway or Mendavia Avenue. The building is easy to find using a navigator, and there are parking zones nearby, making the visit convenient for those traveling in their own vehicle.

The history of the House of Sciences building is closely linked to the city's industrial past. The project was developed in 1901 by the famous architect Luis Barrón with the participation of engineer Gómez Escolar. Before this place became a center of enlightenment, it housed the city slaughterhouse, considered one of the best examples of industrial architecture in the region in the early 20th century.

Interestingly, before this complex appeared, cattle were driven right through the city center along Calle Mayor, which caused a lot of inconvenience. The construction of the new slaughterhouse on the river bank solved this problem, and the building itself became an architectural ornament of the Ebro bank. The industrial facility operated until 1981, after which the building served as a social center and a school workshop.

A massive transformation took place in the late 1990s. During the reconstruction, architects carefully preserved the symmetrical facade and the central lobby, topped with a magnificent glass dome that provides the building with natural light. On April 22, 1999, the House of Sciences officially opened its doors, transforming from a utilitarian facility into a modern space for the popularization of knowledge.

To leisurely explore the temporary exhibitions on the ground floor and spend time in the interactive open-air science garden, most visitors need about 1–1.5 hours. This time is quite enough to get acquainted with the displays and try out all the physical experiments outside.

If you plan to attend a lecture, a children's workshop, or watch a popular science film in the cinema hall on the second floor, you should allow at least 2–3 hours for the visit. Thanks to its interactivity, the House of Sciences often keeps guests longer than they initially planned.

When planning your route, keep in mind that the House of Sciences is closed on Mondays. On weekdays, the center operates with a traditional siesta break: from Tuesday to Friday, the doors are open from 9:30 AM to 2:00 PM and from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM.

On weekends, the schedule changes slightly, allowing city guests to enjoy the exhibitions longer. On Saturday and Sunday, the center opens a bit later — at 10:30 AM, stays open until 2:00 PM, and after the afternoon break, welcomes visitors from 4:30 PM to 8:30 PM.

Exploring the surroundings of the House of Sciences can significantly enrich your trip. The museum is located in an area with a well-developed park zone and is within walking distance of the city's main historical monuments, allowing you to combine a thirst for knowledge with a pleasant walk along the river.