This museum is situated in the site of the former prison of Badajoz, which was constructed in the place of a former military fortification, called Fort of Pardaleras, and raised in the 17th century. The fortification was located in a very strategic position, and was one of the most important defensive bastions of the Vauban fortification system that surrounded the city.
The prison building was started in the post-war period, in 1951, although it was not finished until 1958.
Initially was conceived as a building to whose construction had to contribute its inmates for redemption of sentences.
The architecture of the prison copied the model of a central tower with a surrounding set of circular cells, inspired by Bentham’s panopticon.
The only part of the original construction which has been preserved is its central building which has a special shape surrounded by a wide garden area. It is worth visiting this place transformed from a grey place of repression to one of freedom and colour and a space for contemporary art.
Drawing by Juan Barjola
The museum holds a significant collection of artworks by renowned Spanish, Portuguese and Latin American contemporary artists. Its collection is made up of more than 1000 artworks from artists such as Eduardo Naranjo, Miquel Navarro, Luis Buñuel, Equipo 57, Ouka Leele, Juan Barjola, and many more.
Apart from the permanent collection it hosts temporary exhibitions of young artists.
Edgardo Antonio Vigo, poet and visual artist
Rosa Chacel. (1925)
By Timoteo Pèrez Rubio.
Timoteo Pérez Rubio was the Director of the Prado Museum during the Spanish Civil. He was fondly remembered as the "saviour" of the Museum del Prado paintings which were moved to Geneva, out of danger from the bombardments of the fascists over Madrid.