11 best museums in Madrid – list, prices 2021, photo, description, map
Today, in search of new experiences, we will go to the most famous museums in Madrid, in the halls of which the best examples of history and art, artifacts and objects of national heritage are collected. We will tell you where they are, how much you have to pay for entrance tickets, and until what time the doors are open for visitors.
Exhibition Hall Prado
Let's start our tour, perhaps, with a visit to the Prado Museum, which, in terms of the vastness and significance of the collected collections, is on a par with such giants as the Louvre and the Hermitage. It is easy to guess that the collection of paintings includes not only the results of the work of Spanish artists. Here you can see many creations created by the best representatives of the caste of painters from Italy, Holland and other European countries.
The exposition owes its name to the park of the same name, in which the first exhibition hall was opened in 1819.
Initially, only 300 paintings were kept in the halls, but this collection was replenished annually with new masterpieces and as a result grew to fabulous sizes! Today, more than 6,000 paintings, over 400 sculptures by famous creators, as well as an impressive collection of jewelry art have been collected here. Of particular value are the works of the Spanish artist Diego Velasquez, which amaze with an unusual combination of colors and realism.
Worthy competition for these works are the paintings of Francisco José de Goya, whose creative path can be divided into two main periods. You can get to the exhibition complex by metro (Banco de Espaça station), visitors are expected here daily from 10 am to 8 pm, and a ticket will cost 4-8 euros (discounts are set for students and some other categories of visitors).
Madrid Hall of Nautical Crafts
Since Spain is a country with a rich maritime history, it is highly recommended to visit the exhibition halls of the capital's maritime museum. This place, without exaggeration, can be considered one of the most successful museums of its kind, which is still subordinate to the defense department.
The collection includes 7 thematic expositions, each of which is dedicated to a certain historical period, as well as to separate areas of maritime craft. Tourists will plunge into the world of modeling, study nautical equipment and tools that were in the service of the Spaniards at different times, be able to look into real ship's logs and even get acquainted with a collection of treasures raised from the seabed!
Of particular pride is the exposition, which tells about the famous discoverers of new lands, includes a collection of souvenirs, household items, art, etc. brought from distant shores. The unique, compiled in 1500, the first map of America is also stored here!
The exhibition is located at: Madrid, Paseo del Prado, 5. Admission to the gallery is free. Day off Monday. On other days, the doors of the exhibition halls are open from 10 am to 7 pm.
Museum of America
This showroom is the most unusual in Spain. Of course, you can get acquainted with similar exhibits and artifacts in the United States. But after all, not everyone wants to overcome thousands of kilometers for this, when all the most interesting things can be seen without leaving the territory of Spain! The halls contain many items from different historical eras, which were delivered to Spain from the very day the New World was discovered.
For example, there is an impressive collection of weapons of the natives, the first settlers and colonizers. You can see what deities the natives prayed to, get acquainted with the collection of musical instruments, cultural and household items, as well as the national clothes of the inhabitants of Peru, Mexico, and Colombia. In total, about 25 thousand exhibits have been collected, among which there are truly unique items, analogues and copies of which are not even in the national museums of Latin and North America.
You can get to the exhibition every day, except Monday from 9.30 to 15 hours (on Thursday the doors of the museum are open until 19 hours). The approximate cost of the ticket is 4 euros, and the building is located at Madrid, Avenida de los Reyes Catolicos, 6. Children enjoy the right of free admission.
Queen Sofia Hall
The collection began its existence in 1992, including paintings by famous Spanish artists. The exposition is aimed at connoisseurs of the fine arts of the last century. Pride are the paintings of such geniuses as Pablo Picasso (the most valuable of the available works is the painting “Guernica”), Juan Gris, Julio Gonzalez, Lucio Muñoz and many others.
You can find the museum at: Santa Isabel, 52. It is open daily from 10 am to 9 pm, except for Tuesday, which is considered an official day off. Admission is free for children, while adults will have to pay between 4 and 8 euros for a ticket, depending on whether they want to visit only periodic exhibitions or have access to the entire collection.
Private exposition of Serralbo
The uniqueness of this exposition lies in the fact that it was assembled within the walls of the most ordinary Madrid house by its owner, the Marquis of Serralbo. This Spaniard spent most of his life traveling around Europe, which can be understood at the first glance at the collected collection of objects, artifacts, and values. At the moment, there are more than 50 thousand different exhibits and items, many of which have real historical value.
A significant part of the subjects is devoted to history and politics, as well as books. You can find an extensive collection of archaeological finds, including artifacts from Ancient Rome and Greece, as well as the best examples of Chinese and Japanese ceramics. And also various types of edged weapons, paintings by Spanish artists, carpets (starting from the 16th century), a lot of coins, medals, historical documents and watches (starting from the 18th century). And all this is in a private collection!
An unusual house is located at the address: C. Ventura Rodriguez, 17. The easiest way to get there is by metro, getting off at the Ventura Rodriguez or Noviciado stations. Monday is a day off, and on other days guests will be happy to see from 9.30 to 15 hours. The estimated cost of the ticket is 4 euros, and at some hours on weekends you can get inside for free.
Royal Academy of Fine Arts of San Fernando
The pompous baroque palace of the 17th century, located in the center of Madrid, can only be overlooked by the blind – its facades are so luxurious and magnificent, the architectural lines are noble. Not only is it outwardly remarkable, the inside is no less magnificent: now it houses the Royal Academy of Fine Arts. For more than 2 centuries, the great artists and sculptors of Spain have been learning to improve their skills and talents within its walls. Among the leaders of the Academy was the outstanding Goya. When the department of music was opened here, some famous musicians and composers studied there.
In the halls and halls of the Academy there is a large collection of art works of painting and sculpture, consisting of 1.5 thousand paintings and more than 500 sculptures of different masters and eras. Here you can see the unique works of other great geniuses of fine arts. A visit to this temple of art leaves a lasting impression and reinforces the view that true art is eternal and enduring.
Address: Alcala, 13, 28014 Madrid
Open for visits: Tuesday – Sunday. – 08.30 – 17.00; mon. – day off.
Ticket price – 6 Є; Wednesdays and May 18 – free.
Monastery-Museum of Las Descalzas
This is one of the many monasteries organized by the Catholic kings of Spain as a sign of deep religiosity. It is unique in that it is located as an addition to the royal palace, which is ranked fourth in importance in a series of other palaces. Taking into account the length of stay of the royal people in it, in 1559 it was decided to open a monastery nearby for the Order of St. Poor Clare, which included mainly the highest nobility. The monastery began to grow rich and prosper quickly, girls from aristocratic and royal families took the vow of monasticism in protest against unwanted marriages.
The territory of the monastery was constantly expanding, turning into a huge estate. The court nobility willingly donated to him jewelry, money and works of art, which later formed a rich collection of paintings, sculptures, jewelry and other valuable items. There are paintings of the greatest creators, whose names are immortal: Titian, Coelho, Rubens, Murillo and other geniuses of painting.
All this was carefully preserved by the nuns even in times of war. The buildings of the monastery were painstakingly restored after the destruction, and now it has retained in its appearance many of its original features, the luxurious splendor of the decoration of the altar. Its main parts are made of valuable marble; the bronze details are gilded. Magnificent sculptures and statues decorate the side vaults of the altar.
Now there is a functioning monastery and museum – the focus of rich luxury and many cultural and historical values. The interiors are decorated with extraordinary splendor and beauty. The decoration of the front staircase is striking in its chic splendor, the brilliance of marble and gold; the ceilings above it are decorated with amazing frescoes – real masterpieces. And the whole monastery complex is a wonderful monument of the past and the abode of beauty in the present.
Address: Madrid, pl. de Las Descalas.
Open for visits: Tue. – Sat, 10.00 – 14.00; 16.00-18.30; sunday And holidays – 11.00 – 15.00.
Closed: Monday, 16.19. 04; 01.05; Dec 24, 25, 31
Tissen-Bornemis Museum
The history of this museum is a symbol of love for works of art and for the motherland. Only under such conditions could such a wonderful institution be created, keeping within its walls priceless rarities, carefully collected by generations of the Thyssen-Bornemisza family since the middle of the 19th century. Now the Museum is one of the three similar institutions (the Reina Sofia Art Center and the Prado Museum), successfully complementing their collections with its exhibits. Since 1993, the museum has the official status of the State Art Gallery, and before that it was the largest private collection in the world.
Here are collected the works of artists of various trends: Italian primitivism, Russian constructivism, world abstractionism, impressionism. It presents paintings by German, English, Dutch masters, ranging from Rubens, Caravaggio, Gauguin, Van Gogh and ending with modern ultramodernists in painting. To become the owner of such a treasury, the Spanish government paid the descendants of August Thyssen (the founder of the collection) $ 350 million.
The heirs to this day continue to replenish the funds of the museum with new masterpieces. The patriotic Baroness Thyssen-Bornemisza (the widow of Hans' eldest son), in view of the economic crisis in the country, leased her hereditary share of the collection to the museum. For these exhibits in 2004 a special building was built next to the main building.
Address: 28014 Madrid, Palace of Villahermosa, Paseo del Prado, 8.
Open for visits: Tue – Sun, 10.00 – 19.00, closed. – Monday
Jamon Museum
Having heard for the first time the word “jamon”, exotic for a Russian, you might think that this is something related to the history of the ancient world. But every Spaniard knows well that “jamon” – dried pork ham – is a favorite national dish of the people of Spain. He is given such attention here that 5 original museums are open in Madrid, where you can not only see a variety of meat delicacies, but treat yourself to them and buy them.
The 1st floor of such a museum is presented in the form of a market, on the shelves of which there is a dazzling selection of sausages, cheeses, bread and the main product – jamon. The latter is of 2 types – Serrano and Iberico. The first grade is made from the meat of ordinary white pigs, it is cheaper (from 8 to 15 Є per kg). And “Iberico” is made from a rare breed of black pigs fed on acorns of a special type of holm oak, so jamon from the meat of such pigs is considered an expensive delicacy (150 Є per 1 kg).
Tourists visiting the Jamon Museum can try any kind of delicacy in the form of sandwiches at the counter on the 1st floor. If funds allow, you can go up to the 2nd floor, where they offer various specialties for tasting and serve like in a restaurant. For gourmets, a visit to the Jamon Museum will be an unforgettable experience.
Address: Calle Mayor, 7
Joaquín Sorolla Museum
For those who are not familiar with the work of the Spanish impressionist artist Sorolla, a visit to the museum named after him will be a pleasant aesthetic discovery. The paintings of this remarkable painter (2,000), who possessed an extraordinary talent and incredible diligence, are admired. Joaquin has been repeatedly awarded prestigious awards.
Here, everything that enters the space of the museum is worthy of admiration: a bright three-story building with graceful columns, a shady garden surrounding it; a fountain with crystal streams, beautiful halls with many unique exhibits. This house is a witness to the life and work of the famous artist, which has become the property of the Spanish people as a museum opened by the painter's widow.
The main expositions show the works of Sorolla: portraits, still lifes, plot-genre canvases. Irresistibly beautiful landscapes of the artist with his unique style of depiction with a light veil of haze. The provincial corners of Spain rise in many pictures: the life of fishing villages, mountains, sea distances, the work of fishermen, merchants.
There are works by other famous creators of the brush and cutter – Ribeira, Fortuny, Rodin. Touching the secrets of beautiful art, captured in the paintings of Joaquín Sorolla, will enrich the soul and heart.
Address: Paseo del General Martines Campos, 37
Open for visits: Tue – Sat, 09.30 – 20.00; Sun and holidays – 10.00 – 15.00; Closed: Mon, Jan 1, 6; 24, 25, 31. 12.
National Museum of Natural Sciences
The huge museum, located in a 5-story building, “grew” from the small Royal Cabinet of Natural History, opened in 1771 as a place to house exhibits of living and dead nature. Over the centuries, so many copies have gathered in it that some of them were sent to other museums in Madrid. But only here are the rarest exhibits of fauna, such as a rare stuffed elephant of the 18th century, endangered species of amphibians, skeletons of prehistoric mammals.
The basis of the museum was the collection of the first director of the Royal Cabinet, Pedro Davila, who collected many insects, stuffed exotic animals and birds, rare copies of books by ancient scientists on the natural sciences. In the vicinity of the museum, the Rock Garden, a corner of the Mediterranean and other amazing places are decorated. It regularly hosts seminars and conferences for everyone.
Address: Jose Gutierrez Abascal, 2.
Open: on weekdays, except Mondays, and on Sundays, 10.00 – 17.00; on Sat and holidays – 10.00 – 20.00.
Closed – Mon, 01, 06 Jan, 01.05; 25.12.
These are not all exhibitions in Madrid, which are worth visiting for all connoisseurs of history and art! There are many more interesting expositions in the capital, each of which deserves special attention!