Though Madrid is not the most historic of Spanish cities, it certainly has one up on the rest of the country in the art department. El Paseo del Prado, the continuation of Madrid’s main drag, is known to tourists by another name: Museum Mile. This busy street is brimming with large museums that house some of Spain’s most important art collections. From the Renaissance works of el Greco and Velázquez to the 19th century Goya and the contemporary Picasso and Dalí, Museum mile has got a little something from every era!
The quintessential Madrid museum is, of course, the Prado. Dedicated to the art of painting, the Prado houses works primarily from the Renaissance and Baroque periods, but also includes many from as late as the 19th century. Some of the most important attractions are Goya’s 3 de mayo (The Third of May), Velázquez’s Las meninas (The maids of Honor), and Bosch’s world-famous triptych, The Garden of Earthly Delights. These are just a few of the truly stunning pieces hanging proudly from the Prado’s walls, and it is possible to spend an entire day winding your way through the museum, especially when there is an interesting special collection exhibition, like the recent one on Spanish painter Joaquín Sorolla. For more information (in English) on what the Prado has to offer, please visit: http://www.museodelprado.es/en/the-collection/what-to-see/
At the opposite end of the spectrum from the classical Prado is the contemporary art museum, the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía, home to Picasso’s Guernica. This museum displays a wide variety of artwork, from the more traditional painting (by some of the most non-traditionalist painters!) to photography and audio-visual media. Though many people visit the Reina Sofia museum specifically to see Guernica, the masterpieces of other important 20th century Spanish artists like Salvador Dalí, Luís Buñuel and Eduardo Chillado are not to be missed. Visit the museum’s website for more information (in English) on what you can see at the Reina Sofía: http://www.museoreinasofia.es/index_en.html
Finally, the third major museum on Museum Mile, El Museo de Arte Thyssen-Bornemisza, is a refreshing combination of both the older art displayed in the Prado and the modern works from the Reina Sofía. The museum was founded by the Baroness Thyssen and houses an extensive collection of art that ranges from the Middle Ages to the modern era. The museum is well organized by the nationality and time period of the artists, so it’s easy to find what you like. The Thyssen Museum’s website offers more information (in Spanish) about its permanent and special collections: http://www.museothyssen.org/thyssen/home
Clearly, Madrid is a happening place, art-wise. So when the next rainy day rolls around, don't get drenched wandering around outside...soak up culture on Museum Mile!
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