Casa Lis is a 1905 Art Nouveau mansion built on Salamanca's old city walls, above the Tormes river. It is home to the Museo Art Nouveau y Art Déco, which holds around 2,500 pieces of decorative art from the late 19th century to World War II, arranged in 19 collections. Expect porcelain dolls, glassware by Gallé and Lalique, jewelry, bronze statues and vintage perfume bottles. The building is worth the stop on its own, with colored stained glass and a staircase where light shifts across the walls.
From a tannery family to a museum
The house was built between 1901 and 1905 for Miguel de Lis, who ran a tannery. He took over the family business and modernized it through industrial innovation, and the house was meant to reflect both his success and the modern taste of the period. The architect was Joaquín Vargas Aguirre.
The house was built into the old city walls above the river Tormes. The museum opened here in 1995.
The building and its glass
The façade combines ironwork with colored stained glass, and it is the first thing most visitors notice from the river side and the streets nearby.
Inside, light comes through the stained glass onto the staircase, and the patterns change through the day. The central hall has some of the most notable glass, so leave time to look up.
What the 19 collections cover
The museum covers decorative arts from the late 19th century to World War II. The 19 collections are spread over three floors, with around 2,500 pieces in total.
Expect porcelain dolls, toys, glass, jewelry, bronze statues, fans, lamps and vintage perfume bottles. Glass by Émile Gallé and René Lalique stands out, and the collection also includes work by Chiparus and Fabergé. A few displays use automated mechanisms inspired by clockwork.
The collection also shows the period's background. In the 19th century, machine production favored quantity over quality. Arts and Crafts artists answered by asking that decorative arts be treated on a par with fine arts, with close attention to detail and finish.
Planning the visit
Buy tickets in advance, since the museum recommends it. Photography is not allowed inside, so the visit is for looking.
Entry is free on Thursdays from 11:00 to 14:00, but check the current schedule first. There is a café and a restaurant on site, along with a gift shop. The entrance and restroom are wheelchair accessible, and there is on-site parking.
FAQ
Is there an entry fee?
Yes, there is an admission fee, but entry is free on Thursdays from 11:00 to 14:00.
Do I need to book tickets in advance?
Getting tickets in advance is recommended.
Can you take photos inside?
No. The museum has a strict no-photo policy inside.
Is the museum wheelchair accessible?
The entrance and the restroom are wheelchair accessible, and there is a wheelchair accessible parking lot.
Is it suitable for children?
The museum is listed as good for kids, and the collection includes dolls and toys.
