National Museum Complex
The National Museum Complex (Martino: Complejo de Museos Nacionales), also known simply as the National Museums, is a large cultural and educational campus in Cárdenas, the capital of Nouvelle Alexandrie. It consists of a total of four main institutions: the Museum of Science and Technology (Martino: Museo de Ciencia y Tecnologia), the National Museum of New Alexandrian History (Martino: Museo Nacional de Historia de Nouvelle Alexandrie), the National Museum of Fine Arts (Martino: Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes), and the National Portrait Gallery (Martino: Galería Nacional de Retratos). Together, they form the most important part of the National Museum System. Aside from forming a vital part of the cultural and artistic heart of the nation, the complex is also at the forefront in research, preservation, and education.
The collective museum complex is administrated by the non-profit organization Instituto de Museos Nacionales. The complex hosts, alongside its four museums, a total of 5 libraries, 5 education and research centers, and 18 other historical and architectural landmarks. It also publishes three quarterly magazines, 'Technó', 'Bellas Artes', and 'Discurso Histórico'.
The museums collectively receive total annual visitors of over 40 million, most of which are admitted without charge. The Department of Culture and Sports is in charge of funding and coordinating the efforts of the complex, with an annual budget of over €1.80 billion. It receives further funding from private and corporate contributions, membership dues, and earned retail, concession, and licensing revenue.
| Museum | Visitors (1730 AN) |
|---|---|
| Museum of Science and Technology | 19,450,000 |
| National Museum of New Alexandrian History | 6,190,000 |
| National Museum of Fine Arts | 13,800,000 |
| National Portrait Gallery | 1,270,000 |
History
The origins of the National Museum Complex lie in the designs of the Entertainment District, part of the Cárdenas Plan, which was a sweeping development programmed to create a new national capital for Nouvelle Alexandrie. Among these designs was the establishment of a unified museum zone that would concentrate and reflect the intellectual and artistic aspirations of the nation. Construction began in 1690 AN, with three simultaneous buildings being erected around a new public square, known as Plaza de los Museos. Its main architects were Armand Villeneuve, Isidro Montoro, and Emilia de la Vega. The buildings were constructed with neoclassical elements, such as large colonnades and ornamental façades sculptured by Henri-Claude Fernoir. The complex was officially inaugurated by King Manco Cápac I in 1694 AN, at the head of a large delegation including President Alejandro Campos; and leading cultural figures.
In 1708 AN, the National Portrait Gallery was added to create a new museum dedicated to founders and leading figures in Nouvelle Alexandrie. To relieve the administrative needs of the burgeoning collection, the Museum Administrative Building was constructed in 1722 AN, with a major research center added in 1726 AN.
Museums
Museum of Science and Technology
The Museum of Science and Technology is dedicated to the exploration and advancement of scientific knowledge in Nouvelle Alexandrie. Its permanent collections feature exhibits of Alexandrian and international inventions, interactive exhibits on physics, chemistry, and biology, and a specific wing for maritime and industrial innovation. The building was constructed in a cruciform design, dominated by acentral glass-and-steel-dome. The eastern wing is devoted to the Hall of Inventions, showcasing technology and inventions of Alexandrian and international inventors. One major exhibit showcases original an original steam engine from Wechua, built in 1402 AN. The western wing hosts the Natural Sciences Hall, with immersive exhibits on biology, chemistry, and geology, including archaeological discoveries from Santander. The northern galleries focuses on maritime and industrial innovation, highlighting shipbuilding, early railway engines, aerospace technology, and manufacturing; with the great showstopper being a model of the Javelin Sojourner, the first domestic-produced widebody airliner in Nouvelle Alexandrie.
Above the public floors are active research laboratories, dedicated to research and preservation, which support both the museum's collections and collaborative scientific studies. A small part of it, above the Hall of Inventions, is open as a visitors centre for the purpose of scientific education and international collaboration.
National Museum of New Alexandrian History
The National Museum of New Alexandrian History, often known as simply the National History Museum, is dedicated to the showcasing, study, and education of the national history of Nouvelle Alexandrie. It consists of a large neoclassical building, surrounding a monumental atrium crowned ith a stained-glass dome. A series of nine dedicated Halls of Pre-Federation History depict the collective history of Wechua Nation, Alduria, Lyrica, and Santander, as well as the other regions of Nouvelle Alexandrie. Much of the museum is dedicated to the history of the founding, with the large Hall of Federation housing treasures from the nation's founding period, including a copy of the Proclamation of Punta Santiago (the original is preserved in the Proclamation Museum on the Plaza of Heroes). The smaller Royal Hall houses artifacts and ceremonial regalia from the Kings of Nouvelle Alexandrie and the Emperors of Alexandria; including the ceremonial uniform of Manco Cápac which he wore during the Proclamation. The upper floors are dedicated to the recent history of the nation, including the construction of Cárdenas, the founding of the Cortes Federales, and the expansion into Valencia, Boriquén and New Caputia. A relatively new addition has been the remodeling of the upper floor into the Hall of Living History, a reconstruction of key moments in the nation's past using full-scale dioramas and multimedia presentations.
There is a large non-visitor area dedicated to large archival repositories and a research center, which serves both scholars and students interested in New Alexandrian history.
National Museum of Fine Arts
The National Museum of Fine Arts serves as the premier institution for the preservation and display of Alexandrian artistic heritage. It consists of a grand rotunda with four radiating wings, each dedicated to a different period of Alexandrian art. The Classical Gallery displays pre-Federation works and sacred art, including tapestries and icons from regional traditions - such as the culturally important Golden Statue of Viracocha. The Renaissance Hall highlights the flowering of Alexandrian painting and sculpture during the nation's cultural height, featuring celebrated works like The Saint of Parap and Portrait of Queen Alexandra, both by Enrique Ougo. The Modern and Contemporary Hall hosts a large collection of contemporary works, from realism to impressionist and avant-garde, as well as multimedia installations by living artists. Celebrated painters like Hector Pared and Enrique Canela are among this collection. A sculpture garden attached to the gallery allows visitors to experience monumental works in an open-air setting, with works like God of Music by renowned sculpter Adan Upiedas.
The gallery's permanent collection is supplemented by frequent international loans and temporary exhibitions, which highlight it as the national center for fine arts and a global cultural hub.
National Portrait Gallery
The National Portrait Gallery was created by President Felipe de Almagro to honor the individuals who shaed Nouvelle Alexandrie's cultural, political, and technologicial development. Its collection includes paintings, busts, and photographs of monarchs, statesmen, reformers, artists, and everyday figures who left a mark on the nation's history. The museum consists of a circular neoclassical building, with three tiers of halls. The ground hall is dedicated to the Leaders' Gallery, which honors monarchs, statesmen, reformers, and military commanders, including Alejandro Campos, Vicaquirao Alvarez, the principal Founders of the Nation; Matias Gustierrez, Emilio Acaran, and Francesco Patrallez, who wrote the Essays on Liberty; and the Kings of Nouvelle Alexandrie. More recent inclusions are former Presidents, like Felipe de Almagro, Paolo Antonio Aguilar, and Marissa Santini. The second floor is home to the Cultural Gallery, highlighting the nation's artists, writers, and scientists. These include writers like Carmen Mozoma, Marc Astante, and Roberto Diez; painters like Enrique Ougo, Hector Pared, Abel Marañho, and Enrique Canela; and scientists like Silvia Divata, Carlos Seiza, Andres Ahuanal, Julian Zamorano, Rául Ebajas, and Lara Rodes. A major exhibit that serves as the eyecatcher of the museum is the Everday Alexandrians Hall, where rotating exhibitions showcase photographic portraits of 'ordinary people', capturing the lived experience of the people. Special exhibitions frequently introduce new commissions of both contemporary and historic gifures, ensuring the gallery evolves continuously.
In 1735 AN, President Marissa Santini ordered the construction of the new Proclamation Hall, in which a massive oil-on-canvas portrait by Sebastián Calvillo was restored and put on display, featuring the Signing of the Proclamation of Punta Santiago. It not only features the main New Alexandrian actors present, but also international figures like Francis Joseph IV, Ernesto de la Cruz, Giakoumis, Padric Shallowwood, and Kir Azariah Vidar. This painting was commissioned by King Manco Cápac in 1695 AN, on the tenth anniversary of the Federation's founding. It was kept at the Palace of Carranza as the main piece of the eponymous Proclamation Room, but donated to the museum by King Sinchi Roca II as an inauguration gift.
Museum Administration Building
The Museum Administration Building was created in 1722 AN to centralize the offices and archives that coordinate the activities of the entire complex. Previously, these uses had been shared between each museum. The main function of the building are in exhibition planning, educational outreach, conservation programs, and public events. The buildings also contains shared facilities for all museums, especially conservation laboratories, a central library, and general storage. It is the only building not generally accessible to the public, however it has a small visitors center, focused on educational in conservation, historical analysis, and artistry.
Libraries & Research Centers
The museum complex has, aside from the main museums, a further 6 libraries located around it. Most of these are associated with the museums. They are generally open to the public, however some archives, such as the Portrait and Iconographic Library, have restricted sections for conservation and research purposes. The libraries are:
- New Alexandrian Historical Library - focuses on manuscripts, archival documents, and primary sources related to the history of Nouvelle Alexandrie. This includes the full original catalogue of the Essays on Liberty.
- Science & Technology Library - houses technical journals, scientific papers, and reference materials supporting the Museum of Science and Technology.
- National Art Library - contains books, catalogs, and photographic archives covering classical to contemporary art.
- Portrait and Iconographic Library - specializes in portrait studies, iconography, visual culture, and artist biographies.
- Children's Museum Library - offers interactive learning resources, educational materials, and reading programs for schools and families.
The research centers associated with the museum are part of the collaboration between the Department of Culture and Sports and Department of Research and Development, for the purpose of scientific study to support the work of the museums. These research centers are:
- Center for Technology Studies - conducts research on historical and modern New Alexandrian technologies.
- Center for Preservation and Archival Studies - focuses on conservation techniques and digitization of historical collections.
- New Alexandrian Art Research Institute - studies art history, restoration methods, and artistry, often collaborating with international galleries.
- Portrait and Icons Research Institute - studies portrait techniques, iconography, and sociology through paintings and photographs.
- Museum Innovation Institute - conducts research and development on interactive exhibition methods, scientific outreach, and continuous improvement.
Art Installations
The museum officially owns an additional 18 major landmarks surrounding the complex, which range from minor statues to murals and fountains. Some of the best known of these landmarks are:
- The Fountain of Knowledge, located at the center of the Plaza de los Museos. It is a large marble fountain with three statues, depicting Science (a man holding a globe); History (a man with quill and manuscript); and Art (a man with a sculptor's chisel). It was built in 1704 AN as a centerpiece of the redevelopment of the Plaza, which was pedestrianized and expanded.
- The Column of Founders, located at the northern entrance of the complex, a 20-meter-tall column commemorating the founding fathers of Nouvelle Alexandrie. The column is made of polished limestone, and at the top, a man holding the Proclamation of Punta Santiago gazes down at visitors with a welcoming smile.
- The Mural of Visionaries, a massive outdoor mural along the eastern boundary of the complex, depicting some of the best-known paintings of the Museum of Fine Arts, with the centerpiece focusing on the Portrait of Queen Amalia. The mural is frequently used for public gatherings and cultural events.
- The Museum Garden, a landscaped garden between the Museum of Science and Technology and Museum of Fine Arts, featuring busts of famous Alexandrian painters, sculptors, and architects set among flowerbeds and ornamental fountains. Seasonal art installations are often added, giving contemporary artists a temporary outdoor exhibition space.
- The Jacques Serrane Monument, a statue honoring one of the foremost historians and philosophers in Santander, and the main author of the influential Chroniques de L'Empire d'Alexandria. The statue features Serrane seated and spectacled with an open book in hand, his gaze fixed forward towards visitors.
- The Sofía Almarez Monument, a statue honoring one of the few influential female painters in Santander, famous for her work Potosí at Night. Her likeness is set upon a pedestal in her iconic painter's overalls, against a mosaic backdrop with fragments of her most famous works.
- The Monument to the Kings, two murals honouring the previous Kings: Manco Cápac and (since 1736 AN) Sinchi Roca I. They are both depicted in their military uniform, but with their characteristic warm smiles. Above them are decorative motives, and behind them is a mosaic backdrop of the Palace of Carranza.
Transport
The complex is served by the Metro/Tramways stop Museo Nacionales, which are serviced by Lines B and C. The metro station is located underneath Plaza de Museos, while the tram stop consists of a loop on the plaza.
