Artistic escapade at the Prado National Museum

Published on March 12, 2024 at 9:00 am

The Prado National Museum in Madrid is considered to be one of the most important art galleries in the world. The museum has the richest collection of Spanish paintings from the 12th to the 19th centuries, as well as a large number of European paintings (Flemish, French, Italian and German) that illustrate the history of Europe, and more specifically, that of Spain. It contains works by El Greco, Velázquez, Ribera, Zurbarán, Murillo and Goya. The Flemish school is also well represented, with paintings by Van Der Weyden alongside works by Van Dyck and Bosch. A visit to the "Triumph of Bacchus" in the Velázquez collection is simply a must. The Prado is housed in an 18th-century building designed by Juan de Villanueva. The Prado Museum attracts just under three million visitors every year. The Prado Museum is a big must-see during your stay in Madrid!

The façade of the Prado National Museum in Madrid

Summary

The history of the Prado Museum
Why visit the Prado Museum?
Practical information for the Prado Museum

The history of the Prado Museum

The building that today houses the Prado National Museum was designed in 1785 by the architect Juan de Villanueva, on the initiative of José Moñino y Redondo, at the behest of Carlos III. It was only thanks to Fernando VII, Carlos III's grandson, who was guided by his wife Maria Isabel de Braganza, that together they decided to create a real museum of paintings and sculptures. The museum was originally called the Royal Museum, as it housed the royal collections. It was later named the National Museum of Painting and Sculpture, and is now called the Prado National Museum. It first opened its doors to the public in 1819.

The Prado collection

Why visit the Prado Museum?

Housed in an 18th-century building that is a superb example of Spanish neoclassical architecture, the Museo Nacional del Prado houses the richest collection of Spanish paintings from the 12th to the 19th centuries, in an area of over 40,000 m². It features works by Velásquez -whose statue guards the entrance to the museum- as well as El Greco, Ribera and Goya. The Flemish school is also well represented, as are the Italian masters Titian, Tintoretto, Raphael and Botticelli. Among the masterpieces not to be missed are "The Triumph of Bacchus" and "Las Meninas" in the Velásquez collection, and "The Shootings of 3 May", "La Maja vestida" and "La Maja desnuda" in the Goya collection. Not forgetting Dürer, Claude Gellée le Lorrain, Rembrandt and Watteau, to name but a few: a precious collection of over 8,600 paintings and 700 sculptures, not to be missed!

A work from the Prado National Museum.

Practical information for the Prado Museum

Location: C. de Ruiz de Alarcón, 23, 28014 Madrid, Spain

⏰Hours: the museum is open Monday to Saturday from 10am to 8pm and Sundays and public holidays from 10am to 7pm.

👛Prices: tickets cost €15 for normal admission and €7.50 for reduced admission.

Getting there: the museum is easily accessible by public transport. The nearest metro station is Banco de España.

👉 Website

Editorial advice

Luggage lockers are available for visitors' personal belongings (suitcases, jackets, etc.).
Audio guides are available for hire.
Visits to the Collection are free of charge from Monday to Saturday from 6pm to 8pm, and on Sundays and public holidays from 5pm to 7pm.
To avoid the crowds, plan a visit during my off-peak hours, either at opening time or at the end of the day.