History of the building
The current building stands on what once was an old mansion popularly known as "Casa de los Martínez" (Martínez's House), in order to host a permanent exhibition alluding to the Battle of Bailén of the 19th of July of 1808.
Going back to the time frame of the battle, a post office was located in this exact location, situated on the outskirts of the village and just on the edge of the Camino Real (Royal way). Given its proximity to the battlefield, it served as a Blood Hospital where the wounded soldiers were tended to on the day of the battle.
The architect in charge of drafting the museum's technical design was D. Rafael Ozáez Gutiérrez. He proposes a new construction formed by a basement, three floors and an attic that sum a total of about 1500 m2. The volume of the building presents an allegorical form of a "cannon" (a key element in the development of the battle). Also, in the outer courtyard, two large spherical domes symbolize the ammunition of this gigantic piece of artillery.
After several years of waiting, its inauguration took place on the 19th of July of 2008, coinciding with the Bicentennial Celebration of the Battle of Bailén. Throughout time, the Museum has undergone a series of remodelations and rennovations, adapting and expanding its content to become a visual, interactive and novel experience where the history of Bailén is explored in depth.