Cuenca's MUPA: fossils from Las Hoyas and Lo Hueco

Museum of Palaeontology of Castilla-La Mancha (MUPA)

The Museo de Paleontología de Castilla-La Mancha (MUPA), on Calle del Río Gritos in Cuenca, displays fossils from Las Hoyas and Lo Hueco: over 95% of exhibits are originals, many holotypes, including Iberomesornis, Pelecanimimus, Spinolestes and Lohuecotitán. It was created by decree on 20 March 2015 and took its current name in 2018.

A museum of original specimens

The Museo de Paleontología de Castilla-La Mancha stands in Cuenca, in a three-storey building surrounded by ponds and gardens, designed by architects Carlos Asensio, José María de la Puerta and Paloma Campo. It opened in phases: the first, «Tierra de Dinosaurios» (Land of Dinosaurs), in March 2015, in the former Ars Natura; the second in December that year; and the third, now under the MUPA name, in January 2018.

What it holds

At its heart are original fossils from Las Hoyas and Lo Hueco. Among them are the birds Iberomesornis and Concornis, the dinosaur Pelecanimimus, the mammal Spinolestes and the titanosaur Lohuecotitan.

Plan your visit

There are guided tours, workshops, a mobile audio guide using QR codes, a treasure hunt and augmented reality, as well as a café and restaurant.

Before you travel

Check opening times and prices on the museum website.

Combine with

The museum forms part of the Cuenca Dinosaur Route, continuing through the centres in Cañada del Hoyo and Fuentes.

Frequently asked questions

What does the MUPA display?

Over 95% are original specimens, many of them holotypes: fossils from Las Hoyas and Lo Hueco and species such as Iberomesornis, Concornis, Pelecanimimus, Spinolestes and Lohuecotitán. Concavenator appears in projections, in the immersive room and at an augmented-reality photo point.

How can Las Hoyas be visited?

Only students and researchers may visit the site, by prior application to the MUPA itself. For the general public, the museum is the place to see its fossils.