Cider Museum

Latitude: 43.3579788 Length: -5.5055289
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The town of Nava , in the geographical center of the autonomous community, has the privilege of housing the museum dedicated to this important symbol of Asturian identity . The town has embraced the museum from the very beginning; it's no wonder, as few places feel the apple's presence as deeply as this one. The municipality boasts one of the largest cider production areas in northern Spain . The quality of its cider is even more evident these days, when quality standards, encouraged by the recent designation of origin , demand the cultivation of native apples. Nava is prepared to continue production, maintain its commitment to quality, and keep a museum alive that resonates with the consumption and spirit of Asturias.

The lobby features a large counter offering information on exhibitions, guided tours, and assistance in other languages ​​for foreign visitors… The facilities are conveniently adapted for visitors with any degree of disability , and everything is welcoming and hospitable, with precise lighting, spacious rooms, and high ceilings.

Through a barrel, as if entering another dimension, we pass from the reception area to the exhibition space itself. The visit is intended to unfold in parallel with the cider-making cycle , which is why visitors are constantly amazed by the striking analogy between the museum and its subject. We journey from spring to spring, or from pollination to pollination.

Autumn arrives, and the different apple varieties used for cider making are selected and placed in separate containers, temporarily stored in the apple orchards of the cider houses. Once selected, the apples are crushed to facilitate pressing. The process begins and culminates in an ingenious interactive experience where the spectator uses the apple itself—their entry ticket—as the raw material.

Through an optical illusion, visitors can appreciate the various processes that apple juice undergoes to become cider. Just like in a cider press or winery , with scenes reminiscent of the 19th and 20th centuries, the exhibit showcases the tools and equipment used in cider production.

The atmosphere of the cider world comes alive in a cider press or cellar where the liquid element rests until it is consumed. And since drinking cider is a defining act in cider houses , the museum also recreates one of these popular gathering places , including basic elements of its daily consumption. At the same time, as traditional games are closely linked to cider, and to ensure nothing is missing, a traditional bowling alley is reproduced within the museum.

Folklore is also part of the social impact of this regional beverage . Visitors can try composing on an electronic bagpipe for a while, or simply let themselves be carried away by the traditional sounds the instrument has memorized.

The museum's microcosm, therefore, extends from the tiniest pollen to the largest festivals where cider pouring abounds . And the music accompanies it, reflecting its place of enjoyment: the wine press, the tavern… that's why you hear the bagpipes and the drum, the traditional tunes. Asturias in general is music and the smell of apples , at least within its walls.

The museum also boasts a comprehensive educational program , which can be consulted at the information desk. The Foundation that manages the center not only focuses on the outward-looking presentation but also delves into the very heart of the apple, paying attention to the biological and technological improvements associated with its cultivation, production, and consumption.

Cider Museum Hours

Summer time from 15/06 to 15/09
· Closed Monday.
· Tuesday from 12:00 to 14:00. and from 16:00 p.m. to 20:00 p.m.
· Wednesday to Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 14:00 p.m. and from 16:00 p.m. to 20:00 p.m.
· Sunday from 12:00 to 14:00. and from 17:00 p.m. to 20:00 p.m.

· Winter hours from 16/09 to 14/06
· Closed Monday.
· Tuesday from 11:00 to 14:00. and from 16:00 p.m. to 19:00 p.m.
· Wednesday to Friday from 11:00 to 14:00. and from 16:00 p.m. to 19:00 p.m.
Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 15:00 p.m. and from 16:30 p.m. to 20:00 p.m.
Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 14:00 p.m.

On 24, 25, 31 December, 1 and 6 January, the museum will be closed.

Source: Asturias Cider Museum.