It goes without saying that Valencia is full of architectural treasures, and the spectacular Palacio del Marques de Dos Aguas (Palace of the Marquis of Dos Aguas) is undeniably one of them. The building goes back to the 15th century, when it was originally constructed in the Gothic style. However, major reforms in the mid-18th century gave it the sumptuous Baroque appearance that we see today. It was the home to the family of Rabassa de Perellós, a Valencian noble who held the title of Marquis of Dos Aguas.
The mansion was purchased in 1949 by the Ministry of Education with the intentions of housing the considerable collection of ceramics left to the city by Dr. Manuel Gonzalez Marti and his wife. It was opened to the public as a museum, the Museo Nacional de Cerámica González Martí (González Martí National Museum of Ceramics), and sumptuously furnished with period furniture.
Pass through the over-the-top, richly-adorned Baroque entrance and discover the rooms and treasures that lie within. Some rooms have been kept in their original 15th-century style, while others take you back to the affluent 18th century, a time of salons and ballroom dancing. The mansion even maintains its historic carriage entrance, complete with a few carriages for viewing.
This luxurious interior is, as we mentioned, also home to a vast collection of ceramics, which hail from around the world and throughout history. You can view the outstanding Arab and Christian ceramics from the nearby town of Manises, creations by Pablo Picasso. There's a fully equipped typical Valencian kitchen made entirely of ceramics as well as a porcelain room where nearly everything on display is of delicate colored porcelain. On the top floor you can learn about the history and processes behind ceramics-making and peruse the large and excellent collection of ceramics, ranging from prehistoric creations right up through more modern works.