National Prado Museum (Madrid)
If it were necessary to visit just one of the almost infinite artistic and heritage treasures in Madrid, the Prado Museum would be the obvious choice. It is among the most important museum institutions in the world, with an art collection rivalling that of the Louvre in Paris and the Uffizi Gallery in Florence.
The origin of this impressive museum, founded in 1819 using the palace of the Royal Cabinet of Natural History as its headquarters, was the result of the patronage and good artistic taste of the Spanish kings. Over the centuries, they acquired vast quantities of artwork by granting numerous commissions to famous artists.
The Prado Museum has an incalculable wealth of Spanish works of art, highlighting great geniuses of painting such as El Greco, Velázquez, Murillo and Goya. Entire chambers are dedicated to many of their most representative paintings, such as Las Meninas of Velázquez, considered one of the most spectacular paintings ever.
The list of international artists is also impressive and includes names such as Tiziano, Rubens, El Bosco, Tintoretto, Durero and Poussin. In 2017, the museum's extraordinary inventory exceeded 35,000 works of art, relics and artefacts, in addition to an enviable collection of original photographs from the 19th century, all spread over an area of more than 40,000 square meters.
An interesting aspect of the Prado Museum is that it is not encyclopaedic. It is made up exclusively of the extraordinary collection belonging to all the Spanish kings, who were great fans of art.
Today, the Prado Museum is considered one of the greatest artistic treasures in the world. It is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Spain, with almost three million visitors each year.
The origin of this impressive museum, founded in 1819 using the palace of the Royal Cabinet of Natural History as its headquarters, was the result of the patronage and good artistic taste of the Spanish kings. Over the centuries, they acquired vast quantities of artwork by granting numerous commissions to famous artists.
The Prado Museum has an incalculable wealth of Spanish works of art, highlighting great geniuses of painting such as El Greco, Velázquez, Murillo and Goya. Entire chambers are dedicated to many of their most representative paintings, such as Las Meninas of Velázquez, considered one of the most spectacular paintings ever.
The list of international artists is also impressive and includes names such as Tiziano, Rubens, El Bosco, Tintoretto, Durero and Poussin. In 2017, the museum's extraordinary inventory exceeded 35,000 works of art, relics and artefacts, in addition to an enviable collection of original photographs from the 19th century, all spread over an area of more than 40,000 square meters.
An interesting aspect of the Prado Museum is that it is not encyclopaedic. It is made up exclusively of the extraordinary collection belonging to all the Spanish kings, who were great fans of art.
Today, the Prado Museum is considered one of the greatest artistic treasures in the world. It is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Spain, with almost three million visitors each year.
Location
Museums in Madrid
Civil Buildings in Madrid
Religious Buildings in Madrid
