Chillida Leku

Chillida Leku is an open-air museum in Hernani, Spain, showcasing the works of Basque sculptor Eduardo Chillida in a restored 16th-century farmhouse and surrounding park.

Planning your visit

Chillida Leku means Chillida's place in Basque, and it is exactly that: the sculptor Eduardo Chillida bought a derelict sixteenth-century farmhouse near Hernani, restored it over decades, and laid out the surrounding meadows and oak woods as a setting for his work. He wanted his sculptures seen outdoors, at distance, in weather and changing light, and he placed each one himself.

Around forty large works in corten steel and granite stand across the grounds — the heavy, angular, interlocking forms he is known for, weathered to deep rust and sitting in wet green grass under the beech and magnolia. Smaller pieces, drawings and works on paper are inside the restored farmhouse, the Zabalaga.

Walking it takes ninety minutes to two hours at a proper pace, and the point is to walk rather than to look at a checklist.

It closed in 2011 for financial reasons and reopened in 2019 under new management, and the grounds have been maintained since.

It sits a short drive from San Sebastián. Bookable options include museum tickets and private walking tours combining the museum with San Sebastián. Current availability is listed below.