Museo Dámaso Navarro

The Museo Arqueológico y Etnológico Dámaso Navarro opened in 1999 and takes its name from a member of the local archaeological group who died young. It holds more than 12,000 pieces donated and recovered by residents of Petrer and by the municipal archaeological group over several decades: much as happened with footwear in neighbouring Elda, a good part of this heritage was saved by local enthusiasts before any space existed to keep it in.

What's inside

The archaeology room traces the town's history from prehistory to the present day. Among its most notable pieces is a Roman mosaic pavement, found in 1975 and coming from the Roman villa of Petraria, considered one of the most important mosaic sets in the Comunitat Valenciana, alongside a 3rd-century Roman kiln preserved in situ and a set of Islamic plasterwork from the 12th-13th centuries. The ethnology room focuses on the trades and customs of agricultural and quarrying Petrer, a town historically tied to stone extraction in the district.

The building was renovated in 2019 with accessibility in mind, and alongside its two permanent rooms it includes space for temporary exhibitions, an auditorium, a teaching workshop, a library and storage and laboratory areas, which also host talks and activities for school groups. It stands close to the Castillo de Petrer and the Casas-Cueva, which can be combined in the same visit, and a short walk from the Iglesia de San Bartolomé.

Along with the Museo del Calzado in Elda and the Museo Histórico-Artístico in Novelda, it forms part of the Vinalopó Mitjà museum circuit.