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| The Prado Museum Paseo del Prado, s/n Tel: 91 330 28 00 Metro: Banco de España / Atocha Zone: Las Cortes Map: Quadrant L-13 on the detailed maps, or see 7 on the center zones overview map Open: 9:00am - 7:00pm Tue.-Sat.; 9:00am - 14:00pm Sun. and public holidays. Closed on mondays. Admission: 3 euro. Saturdays after 14.00 and Sundays: free. Under 18, and over 65: 2.50 euro. Student card: 1.50 euro Official web site: http://museoprado.mcu.es/ |
| Without doubt, this city's and one of the world's most important museums since it opened in 1819 (when it became one of the world's first public art galleries), this massive collection is a testament to the centuries of devotion to art accumulation by the Spanish monarchy and church, and to the attitudes prevalent in the age of enlightenment when the Prado was conceived. The building was designed by the neo-classic architect Juan de Villanueva, and is located on the Paseo del Prado, in one of Madrid's most attractive areas. When it was originally built in the late 1700's, it was intended as the Natural Sciences museum. Later, Joseph Bonapart (brother of Napoleon) redesignated it as an art museum, so that when it opened in 1819 under Fernando VII it became home to the Royal art collection. The Prado contains more than 9000 works, mainly paintings, of which only about 1500 can be displayed at any one time. While there is continual talk of the need for more space to display the remainder of the collection, with many nearby buildings having been assessed as possible candidates for this purpose, nothing concrete has yet been done in this regard. In the meantime, there is space in the museum dedicated to displaying on a rotational basis those works which are not on permanent exhibition. There are also conferences and courses in which archived works are often brought out. (Information about these courses can be obtained from the Spanish ministry for culture.) The Royal collection, which constitutes the heart of the museum's works, was begun by Isabel La Católica in the 1500's, and was continued by her successors until the last century. In 1734, a large part of the collection was destroyed by a fire in 'El Alcazar', the then royal palace located on the site of the current Palacio Real. Despite this, the collection is still formidable, even if it reflects the tastes of the monarchy. It includes excellent representations from the Flemish, the sixteenth century Italian and of course the Spanish schools from the Baroque schools onwards. Examples from the English and Dutch Protestant schools are notably absent. There is also a large collection of religious art, acquired from the churches which were shut in 1830. | 
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| To name just some of the artists represented in the Prado: Brueghel, Van der Weyden, Van Dyck, El Bosco, Durero, Rembrandt, Rubens, Fra Angélico, Mantegna, Botticelli, Bronzino, Rafael, Tiziano, Tintoretto, El Greco, Velazquez, Murillo, Ribera, Goya, ... Below we have given what we hope is a representative list of artists, along with some of their most important works, mainly for those who don't have time for a more complete visit. Since the museum does not have a very clear layout, we have not tried to explain how to find the various paintings listed below. Instead we recommend using the free guide/map provided at the entrance, or we would encourage you to ask any of the security people roaming about. Velazquez: Most of his major works are here. Not to be missed are Las Meninas (the Maids of Honour), Las Hilanderas (the spinners) and La Rendición de Breda (the Surrender of Breda). Some help in understanding these complex paintings can be obtained from the museum guide (1st floor). El Greco: One can never help but be amazed at how 'modern' the works of this 16th century artist appear. Indeed his genius was not fully recognised until long after his death. Painters from the avant-garde of this century are among those responsible from bringing him to the forefront of Spanish art. Recommended are Pentecostés and La adoración de los Reyes Magos (The adoration of the wise-men) on the 1st floor.
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