Balenciaga Museum: the memory of a fashion icon

Today we will talk about the museum dedicated to one of the most prestigious and extensive Spanish couturiers on the world scene.

Who was Balenciaga and where was he born?

He was a Spanish couturier with a great boom during the 20th century, much loved and praised by the rest of the outstanding couturiers with references such as ‘the master of all of us’ (Dior).

Balenciaga is originally from the Basque Country, specifically from a coastal town called Getaria.

Getaria is a municipality known for its wine and txakoli tradition. At Go Local San Sebastian they organize excursions to visit Getaria , will you join us?

What is the history of Balenciaga?

Unlike other great couturiers, Balenciaga did not have specific studies that got him there, but it was a much more surprising story. Cristóbal Balenciaga was born on January 21, 1895. He came from a humble family since his father was a fisherman and his mother was a seamstress for some marquises who vacationed in Getaria, which will be the main reason why he begins the long career of he.

Unfortunately, his father died on a fishing trip and his mother had to stay in charge of his entire family.

Balenciaga, at just 12 years old, began to take an interest in helping his mother with her sewing. Those marquises for whom her mother worked were the Marquises Casa Torres, one of the most important within the Spanish nobility of the time. Balenciaga only had eyes to observe the incredible pieces that the marquise always wore to go to mass on Sundays.

She saw the interest shown by the young man in learning about fashion and gave him a challenge: to recreate one of his dresses. The marquise was so impressed that from that moment on, she became her first client and her patron to the rest of high society (something that led to her great achievements).

For years he was working for high society, making the leap to cities like Paris. It was not until 1917 when, at just 22 years old, she decided to set up her first fashion house called C.Balenciaga, located in the city of San Sebastián.

Where is the Balenciaga Museum?

The museum dedicated to the couturier is located in his hometown, Getaria. It houses pieces from his entire professional career and also offers temporary collections throughout the year. Continuous research tasks are also carried out in order to continue learning the essence and secrets of the designer’s pieces.

Types of visits to the Museum and duration

When we visit a museum, the time that we are going to dedicate to it is indicative since it depends on the time that we dedicate to each one of the parts. In the case of the Balenciaga Museum, it has different types of visits which will also change the time spent and the conditions.

free visit

You can go with a group of up to ten people without buying a ticket in advance and the duration of the visit is approximately 90 minutes.

scheduled visit

These are guided tours for a group of a maximum of 16 people that require prior reservation as it is only available on weekends and holidays, at certain times. In addition, you must pay a supplement with the purchase of the ticket. The approximate duration is 1 hour.

Guided tour on request

It is a visit in which the entire museum and its curiosities are explored in depth, intended for a maximum group of 20 people with prior reservation. In this case, the supplement for hiring the guide must also be paid in addition to the price of the general admission.

Accessible visits for groups with diverse abilities

A tour totally adapted to the different needs of the groups and with a quota of up to 15 people. It is not necessary to pay any supplement, just make a reservation in advance on the website.

danced visit

Art also revolves around Balenciaga, which is why this incredible visit option exists. It is a visit that tells the essence of the pieces in motion. It is available under prior reservation, with a duration of 75 minutes.

Private visit outside opening hours

If you want to enjoy the museum in a more intimate way and with the possibility of analyzing and asking questions in private, this is your ideal visit option. The visit is made before opening or after closing. Sow under prior reservation and with a maximum of 20 people. To make this specific, you must contact the museum directly.

What days is the museum open?

The hours of the Balenciaga museum change in question to the period in which you make the visit:

• From November to February the opening is from Tuesday to Sunday from 11:00 to 15:00.
• From the months of March to October it also opens from Tuesday to Sunday but extends its hours from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• In the months of July and August they are open every day of the week from 11:00 to 20:00.

Balenciaga lived for several years in San Sebastián, where he maintained his essence due to the charm of the city. If you want to visit it and discover all the curiosities we recommend you take a free walking tour of San Sebastián .