Madrid Museums
THE PALACIO REAL (ROYAL PALACE).- It includes
two centuries of Spanish history. It is one of the best places
in Europe. Apart from its architecture, the collections of porcelain,
tapestries, furniture, armor and paintings are outstanding. Bailen
s/n. Tel: 541 08 76
ARMERÍA REAL (ROYAL ARSENAL) AND THE MUSEUM OF CARRIAGES.- There
is a magnificent collection of weapons and armor and of old horsedrawn
coaches and harnesses. It is visited together with the Royal Palace.
CONVENTO DE LAS DESCALZAS REALES.- It was founded in the 16th
c. and has a valuable collection of paintings, carvings and tapestries.
Plaza de Las Descalzas Reales. Tel: 521 27 79
MUSEO ARQUELÓGICO (ARCHAELOGICAL MUSEUM).- There are collections
of prehistoric objects as well as of objects from Antiquity, the
Middle Ages and Modern Times. A sculpture of the "Dama de Elche".
Coins and ceramics of all times. A faithful reproduction of the
Altamira Caves (Santillana del Mar, Cantabria). Serrano, 13. Tel:
577 79 12
LÁZARO GALDIANO MUSEUM.- There are 37 rooms with paintings of
Spanish masters, early Flemish masters, the Italian, French and
British Schools. Collections include jewels, ceramics, enamels,
coins, silver objects, ivory, carvings and furniture. Serrano,
122. Tel: 561 6084
MUSEO DE LA ACADEMIA DE BELLAS ARTES DE SAN FERNANDO (ARTS MUSEUM).-
Collections include Spanish paintings of all periods: Velázquez,
Murillo, Goya, Vicente López, Sorolla, etc. Alcal, 13. Tel: 522
14 91.
ERMITA DE SAN ANTONIO (A HERMITAGE).- The frescoes covering the
cupola and vault are masterpieces by Goya and are part of the
fundamental works of Spanish painting. The painter's tomb Glorieta
de San Antonio de la Florida, s/n. Tel: 542 07 22.
MUSEO ROMÁNTICO (MUSEUM OF THE ROMANTIC PERIOD).- A collection
of furniture and paintings reminiscent of the second third of
the 19 c. San Mateo, 13. Tel: 448 10 71
MUSEO DE CIENCIAS NATURALES (NATURAL SCIENCE MUSEUM).- Collections
of Zoology, Geology, Paleontology and Entomology. Paseo de la
Castellana, 82. Tel: 561 86 00
MUSEO ESPAÑOL DE ARTE CONTEMPORÁNEO (SPANISH MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY
ART).- Temporary exhibitions of great interest are organized from
time to time. Avda. Juan de Herrera, 2. University City. Tel:
549 71 50.
MUSEO MUNICIPAL (CITY MUSEUM).- There are all manner of artistic
objects related to the history of Madrid: paintings, porcelain,
maps, etchings, photographs. Fuencarral, 78. Tel: 588 86 72.
MUSEO NACIONAL DE ARTES DECORATIVAS (NATIONAL MUSEUM OF DECORATIVE
ARTS).- 62 rooms with ceramics, furniture and other popular decorative
elements from everywhere in Spain. Montalbán, 12. Tel: 532 64
99.
SOROLLA STUDIO AND MUSEUM.- Paintings and sketches are shown in
the house where the painter lived. General Martínez Campos, 37.
Tel: 310 15 84.
Most of the museums are closed on holidays, including on January
1st, on Monday Thursday and Good Friday, on November 1st, on December
24th, 25th and 31st, as well as on Mondays. Opening times, which
in some cases may vary, are generally from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., either
without closing or closing during the lunch hours. On Sundays,
visiting times are limited exclusively to the morning.