Terracotta Warriors return to China after a ten‑month Alicante exhibition at MARQ Alicante Archaeological Museum. People who had not yet seen the display lined up each morning before doors opened, eager to witness the famed figures in this historic collection.
In the spirit of the Qin and Han dynasties, the Xi’an warriors are featured prominently in a show that closes this Sunday at 19:00. The museum offers free access to visitors, with extended hours on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., inviting a final wave of admirers to bid farewell to what has become the most visited exhibition in MARQ’s history.
Long queues formed at MARQ’s doors for those planning a long weekend, while many sought to visit before guided tours sold out months in advance. Early in the morning, fans gathered, anticipating the chance to explore the halls on their own as ticket availability for guided tours dwindled.
Last week, dozens of visitors arrived hours before opening, prompting MARQ to adjust access. The museum increased the number of daily entries from 50 to 90 every thirty minutes and expanded crowd flow from 25 to 30 people per interval to manage the surge.
There was a notable spike at the end of January, with roughly 1,200 visitors daily and a cumulative total nearing 271,167 by January 25. This weekend the total is expected to approach 275,000. The Xi’an warriors exhibition, which opened at the end of March last year, propelled MARQ to become the most watched museum in Alicante, helping the center finish 2023 with a record influx surpassing 300,000 spectators.
As dismantling begins next week, the exhibition campaign will continue throughout February to return more than 120 items to China, including seven terracotta soldiers and a horse. A later international showcase is planned, including a presentation about the Bronze Age and the First Kingdoms of Prehistoric Europe announced at a recent event in Fitur.
Music of the Xi’an exhibition
Music accompanied the Xi’an warriors throughout the exhibition. The pieces, lasting about 45 minutes, were specially composed by Alicante musician Luis Ivars, who describes them as a sonic accompaniment that fits the Qin and Han narrative.
The exhibition’s curator, Marcos Martinon, wanted the score to blend oriental influences with a universal resonance, so Eastern and Western themes intertwine in the videos and room soundscapes. A choir and orchestra accompany instruments such as Tarota, bells, and lithophones with Gu Zheng, Erhu, and elements of Chinese drama, creating a layered auditory experience. The soundtrack is slated to appear on major music platforms soon.
Collaborations in the soundtrack include Meiling Liu, a Gu Zheng specialist who recorded performances in Chengdu, China. Liu’s melodies anchor the Xi’an Warriors hall, lending authentic regional tones to the overall composition.
The composer from Alicante also shares one of his pieces, Beyond Life, ahead of the soundtrack release in early February. In reflecting on the moment, Marcos Martinon remarked that more visitors than ever are allowing themselves to be emotionally moved by the terracotta warriors, noting that much of the credit goes to Luis Ivars.
In summary, the Xi’an Warriors exhibition at MARQ has woven together ancient history and contemporary artistry, creating a shared experience that resonates with diverse audiences while highlighting the cultural exchange between China and Spain.