MARQ Expands Public Access During Valencian Community Day and Hispanic Heritage Day
The MARQ Museo Arqueológico Regional will mark Valencian Community Day on October 9 and Hispanic Heritage Day on October 12 with extended, public-friendly hours. These holidays invite people to explore free-access days, when the museum welcomes visitors at no cost within its normal operating times. The city comes alive with cultural events, and MARQ provides a gateway to discover ancient China through a compelling exhibit, Legacy of the Qin and Han dynasties. The centerpiece features the Warriors of Xi’an and serves as a meaningful connection point for locals and travelers who want a deeper understanding of Chinese history.
HE Alicante Archaeological Museum is dedicated to ensuring broad access to this international exhibition, which has stood out in Spain since its late-March launch. To accommodate holiday crowds, the museum schedules visits from 10:00 to 14:00, aligning with typical holiday hours. The program has seen remarkable attendance, drawing more than 162,000 visitors through last September. In addition to the main exhibition, the experience extends to nearby archaeological sites such as Lucentum in Alicante and Illeta dels Banyets, and to El Campello’s Almudaina Tower in the Comtat region, enriching the overall journey with extra points of interest.
As previously noted, the exhibition is on a path to become MARQ’s most-watched presentation. The prior record was Miron’s Discobolus, which attracted about 200,000 visits in seven months in 2009. The Xi’an Warriors display will remain at MARQ for a total of ten months, concluding on January 28, 2024, giving visitors ample time to explore the ancient Chinese army sculpture and its historical meaning.
Warriors of Xi’an surpass 126,000 visits at MARQ
Juan de Dios Navarro, Cultural Deputy, stated that the initiative aims to boost museum visitation and provide a dedicated window for MARQ-approved exhibitions. He emphasized that the effort reinforces the institution’s commitment to open culture for all residents, while also strengthening Alicante as a cultural hub for both locals and visitors. The project enhances the region’s appeal as a premier destination on the Costa Blanca, presenting culture as a tangible, everyday experience rather than a distant aspiration. The museum’s leadership believes this approach will help weave culture into daily life while supporting local tourism and education for diverse audiences.
Recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, the Terracotta Army of Xi’an remains one of the most striking archaeological finds of the modern era. Created more than two millennia ago under the orders of Qin Shihuang, the first emperor of a unified China, the collection continues to captivate scholars and the general public with its scale, artistry, and historical implications. It remains a cornerstone of global curiosity, underscoring the enduring appeal of ancient Chinese civilization and its lasting influence on world history. This collection is often celebrated as one of the eighth wonders of the world, a label that speaks to its universal significance in both academia and popular imagination.