Estepona’s Municipal Archaeological Museum has completed the main phase of a €97,999 refurbishment, including VAT, doubling the area available for exhibitions. The expanded museum will be able to display dozens of archaeological finds that have remained in municipal storage due to a lack of space.

A new large gallery has been created on the upper floor to accommodate discoveries from recent excavations in the municipality. Most of the pieces due to be added date from the prehistoric, Roman and Islamic periods, and only a small selection had previously been shown during temporary exhibitions.

The project has also improved accessibility with the installation of a lift, renovated the toilets and upgraded the lighting. Interior galleries, exhibition rooms and display cases have been refurbished, while the columns on both floors and the staircase balustrade and steps have been restored.

Historic features of the 18th-century building have also been conserved. These include an old timber-beam ceiling, as well as a Muslim-era cistern linked to a former tower in the central patio. The cistern’s access opening will remain visible beneath structural glass. The patio flooring has been replaced, the former fountain removed and the area levelled, with an artistic glass roof planned.

Further painting and cleaning, new furniture and the installation of display cases are still due to be completed. The building’s façade is also undergoing a full restoration. Councillor for Heritage and Museums Daniel García Ramos said the works were needed to provide more space for finds documenting Estepona’s history.