Prado Museum - details and images
The museum enjoys a high prestige is one of the most visited sights in Madrid, capturing the attention of art lovers around the world because of its very rich and varied collection.
Specifications for the Prado, originally designed to house the Museum of Natural History, were approved in 1785. Carlos III knew exactly what he wanted for this museum. Would be a large building with a large rotunda, a central gallery with natural light from each of two ends of the cubic space of this gallery. Designed in the neo-classical style, the building was to be admired by many and its construction would begin soon.
War of Independence from Spain did that work be halted for several years, partially finished structure was used as a warehouse. A fire destroyed parts of the building during the war and many building materials were stolen. After the war, were resumed construction at the Prado under the supervision of King Ferdinand VII, and 10 years later, this tourist attraction opens its doors as the Royal Museum of Painting and Sculpture.
By the 1900s, had already exceeded the capacity building of the museum's art collection and some changes are appropriate. The first such extension was made in 1918 and then other rooms were added in 1950 and then 1960. Two other buildings, Cason del Buen Retiro and the Palacio de Villahermosa, became part of the complex later, bringing more room to expose the extraordinary collection of the Prado Museum.
Prado Museum's permanent collection is one of the largest in the world. It consists of approximately 9,000 paintings, 5,000 drawings, 2,000 prints, 1,000 coins and medals, and almost 2,000 decorative objects.
Prado has the great collection of Spanish art, with many works of El Greco, Velazquez, Goya and Murillo. Visitors can admire a collection of works by Flemish painter Peter Paul Rubens and the Dutch painter Hieronymus Bosch, and some masterpieces of Italian painters.
Because only one seventh the size of the collection of the museum's permanent collection is on display. Prado Museum also hosts some excellent temporary exhibitions.
Hours: Tuesday - Saturday 9:00 to 7:00 p.m.
Monday - closed
Museum is closed 1 January, Good Friday, 1 May and 25 December.
Prices: The ticket costs 6 euros for a ticket and you'll never stand in line have to pay 9 euros.
The last two hours of time, admission is free. Saturday admission is free for the last three hours of the program.
Transport: Metro - Banco de Espana station.
Address: Calle Ruiz de Alarcon 23 28014 Madrid
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