Museo del Bonsai

About

Founded in 1992, the Bonsai Museum of Marbella was the first of its kind in Spain, and today is considered one of the best Bonsai collections in Europe, as well as home to the best olive tree collection in the world. Echoing traditional Japanese architecture, the building is oriented around a central courtyard where the bulk of the museum’s collection is on display. Here, bonsai trees stand on pedestals amongst several pines, olives, and junipers, some specimens being centuries old. Among its most prized figures is “el Toro”, a 400-year-old juniper, which was remodelled in 2003 by the esteemed master Máximo Bandera. Also in the collection is a "Pinsapo Pine", which is close to extinction, and an Acebuche Olive tree, which is over 300 years old. Inside, the selection of ficus olives is equally ancient, with some being up to 500 years old.