The list of nominees includes, among others, Germany’s State Archaeological Museum in Munich, the Lisbon Fashion Museum, and Stockholm’s Centre for Architecture and Design. These institutions are among the museums nominated by the European Museum Forum (EMF) for one of the most prestigious and long-established awards in the European museum field: the European Museum of the Year Award (EMYA) 2026.

Galáctica, the astronomy outreach and practice centre operated by CEFCA (the Centre for the Study of the Physics of the Cosmos of Aragon), is one of three Spanish nominees, alongside the Mining Museum of La Unión (Murcia) and MUVI – the Villena Museum (Alicante). The remaining nominees, bringing the total to 35, are located across Europe. Germany is represented by six museums, while Switzerland, with seven institutions, is the country with the highest number of nominees. Other nominated museums are based in Belgium, Hungary, Turkey, Slovenia, Denmark, Greece, and the United Kingdom, among others. In total, 17 European countries are represented.

The museum in Teruel is one of the nominees rooted in a very small municipality—just over 100 inhabitants—and with only two years of public activity, alongside museums located in European capitals with decades of experience. This contrast underlines Galáctica’s distinctive contribution: its capacity to deliver science, innovation, and high-quality public engagement in a rural context, meeting recognised standards of museum excellence within a short period of time.

Galáctica, funded through the Teruel Investment Fund, opened to the public in April 2023. Since then, it has welcomed more than 30,000 visitors, including thousands of school students, as well as national and international university groups undertaking structured practical placements as part of their higher education in astrophysics.

A mark of distinction

Nomination for the EMYA reflects the successful completion of a long and rigorous European evaluation process focused on museum quality and public value. All nominated museums will participate in the EMYA2026 Annual Conference, to be held from 10 to 14 June in Bilbao, hosted at the Basque Language Interpretation Centre, recipient of an EMYA award in 2025. The award ceremony will take place as part of this event.

The European Museum of the Year Award was founded in 1977 by journalist Kenneth Hudson to recognise innovation and excellence in the European museum field. The award places particular emphasis on public appeal, interpretation, imagination and creativity, alongside educational purpose, social responsibility, and civic engagement. It is open to museums that have opened or undergone substantial renewal within the past two years. Innovation, community-building, and social impact are central to EMYA’s values.

Galáctica shares affinities with other nominated museums such as the Kaj Munk Museum in Ulfborg, the Bavarian regional museum in Sonthofen, or the Ethnographic Centre of the Canton of Ticino in Switzerland. All are located in low-density areas where the museum acts not merely as a visitor attraction, but as a cultural, educational, and scientific driver. Among the strengths of the centre in Arcos de las Salinas are its clear thematic focus, innovative museography, strong links to its local environment and to scientific research, and its role as a resource for learning and education.

The EMYA2026 nomination represents a further significant recognition for Galáctica, adding to previous awards such as the National Glass Architecture Award (2015), second prize for Best Tourism Experience in Aragon (2023), and the Bronze Award for Best Interior Design of a Museum Space at the International Design Awards (2025).