Centre del Carme Cultura Contemporania in València: exhibitions, history and visitor information

There is a place in València where architecture, history and contemporary art share the same space. We are talking about the Centre del Carme in València, the CCCC – Centre del Carme Cultura Contemporània, a magnificent restored 13th-century convent that is now one of the old town’s leading centres for cultural activity.

The Centre del Carme is also a place where you can take a break from the city, wander through its cloisters and galleries, and uncover details that reveal centuries of history. Here is everything you need to know.

CCCC – Centre del Carme de Cultura Contemporània: the former convent 

The building itself offers a vivid journey through history. Among its most notable features are the refectory, chapter house and two beautiful cloisters: the 14th-century Gothic cloister and the 16th-century Renaissance cloister. You’ll want to photograph both. 

After serving as a fine arts museum and an art school attended by major figures such as Sorolla and Benlliure, the building was transformed into the cultural heart of the El Carmen district. 

On the top floor, make sure you visit the room where remains of the former monastic cells have been preserved. 

What can you see at the Centre del Carme and which exhibitions does it host? 

The exhibition programme at the CCCC in València ranges from experimental visual and performing arts to design, performance, film and music. Its Gothic cloister also regularly hosts summer film screenings and concerts in a remarkable historic setting. 

The centre also looks beyond the arts, bringing architecture, sociology and urban planning into its programme. Its inclusive, wide-ranging approach has made it one of València’s key spaces for contemporary culture. It is worth checking what is on before you visit, as the programme changes regularly. 

Practical guide to the CCCC in València 

• How do you get to the Centre del Carme in València? It is located at 2 Carrer del Museu and can easily be included in a pleasant walk from the Serranos Towers or the Turia Garden. Nearby, you’ll find a buzzy atmosphere, plenty of terraces and some of the oldest streets of València. 

• Is admission to the Centre del Carme free? Entry is free, although some activities may require advance booking because places are limited. 

• Does the Centre del Carme in València offer activities for children? There is a room designed for children aged 0 to 3, and it is also worth checking the programme for other activities aimed at older children. 

• What is there to see in El Carmen, València? Make the most of your visit to the CCCC by exploring nearby streets such as Carrer de Dalt and Carrer de Baix, as well as the area around Mossén Sorell Market. Other museums within easy walking distance include L’ETNO and the IVAM. 

So, what are you waiting for? Come and fill your contemporary culture cup right here in the heart of València.