The Anibal Paz Regional Museum

Inaugurated in the memorable month of January, 1988, the museum - baptized as the Anibal Paz Regional Museum- was created to show years of work in gathering letters, photos, documents and any other evidence that the first settlers considered valuable in order to tell the public their own history.

Even though at the beginning only a few were willing to carry out this project, later on more and more residents and, in the long run, almost the whole town gained interest in showing the material on display behind the doors of this museum. Ever since, many of them could learn more about Aníbal Paz -its founder-, after whom the museum was named.

Aníbal Paz was born in the City of Claromecó in 1922 and, although it seems to be pure coincidence, this was the year in which the lighthouse was inaugurated. His story goes that he left the town afterwards and came back to the city in 1945 to stay.

Aníbal devoted most of his life to collecting the objects and documents he found, mainly maps, photos and news related to Claromecó and the whole area.

All these “treasures” were exhibited in his own bar called “El Farolito” (“The Little Streetlight”) to customers and tourists. These objects and documents used to arouse some discussions and even debates, which heightened the passion and love for this little city.

Nowadays, besides the photos and documents donated by its dwellers, the museum houses archeological and paleontological pieces of the entire region, not only exhibited to visitors but also used as teaching aids for schools in Claromecó and neighboring cities like Reta and Orense.

The museum is located on 28 Street, between 9 and 11 Streets, in the downtown and next to the municipal building where the tourist office stands.

Two meteorites found by a neighbor who said that he had seen the glitter falling from the sky are on display in this museum as well. Arrow tips, stone balls, knives and other tools belonging to the first nations were also exhibited in glass cabinets.

In this museum we can also buy a book named “Así nació Claromecó” (Claromecó Started like This), one of the most important works written by Alonso Nieto, and a variety of audio and photographic material giving testimony of the origins of this city.

In 1998 Aníbal Paz, at the age of 76, passed away and left a rich story to be known by anyone willing to visit this museum. His life was a true homage to his hometown and now anyone has the chance to learn more about this particular sea town called Claromecó.