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The Museo del Prado or Prado Museum is the jewel of Madrid, housed in a neo-classical 18th century building designed by Juan de Villanueva, located on the beautiful Paseo del Prado. The Prado Museum opened in 1819 during the reign of Fernando VII, as a public repository for the massive Spanish royal art collection, including paintings from the Habsburgs, Bourbons and the Church. The Prado was the first public art museum of its time and today holds impressive collections, particularly of the Spanish, Italian and Flemish schools.

The Spanish Collection - The Prado’s extensive collection of 4,600 Spanish masterpieces is the largest in the world and includes great artists such as, Velázquez, Goya, El Greco, López and Murillo. The most famous paintings in this collection are, “Las Meninas” by Velázquez, “The Nobleman with his Hand on his Chest” by El Greco, “The 3rd of May” and the nude and clothed Majas by Goya.

The Italian Collection - The Italian collection is comprised of 1,000 works from the likes of, Botticelli, Titian, Raphael, Correggio, Fra Angelico and Mantegna. The most notable masterpieces in the Italian collection include, “The Annunciation” by Fra Angelico, “The Emperor Charles V, on Horseback” and “Venus with an Organist and a Dog” by Titian, “The Cardinal” and "Holy Family with Lamb” by Raphael.

The Flemish Collection - The Flemish collection consists of over 1,000 works including, Rubens, Bosch, Van der Weyden, Hans Memling, Van Dyck and Dirck Bouts. The most striking masterpieces in this school include, "The Three Graces" and “The Adoration of the Magi” by Rubens, “Garden of Earthly Delights” by, Bosch and “Descent from the Cross” by Van der Weyden.

Additional Works - The Prado also holds important collections from the French, Dutch, German and British schools, as well as sculpture, prints, drawings and coins. All told, the Prado holds over 9,000 paintings, 7,000 prints and drawings and nearly 1,000 coins. The collection is so vast that only 1,500 works can be displayed on exhibit with the remainder of the collection rotated.

Museum goers will need to make several visits over the course of the year to see most of the Prado’s great works. The museum provides a listing and location of 16 recommended masterpieces for a first time visitor. These works include, “Self Portrait” by Albrecht Dürer, “The Immaculate Conception” by Tiepolo Giambattista and “Artemis” by Rembrandt, to name a few. Fourteen of these masterpieces are available for high resolution viewing through Google Earth.

Where is Prado Museum: Paseo del Prado

How to get to Prado Museum: By Subway to Atocha, Banco de España stations; Line 1,2

Opening Hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 9AM to 7PM; Monday - closed; Free admission: Tuesday to Saturday 6 to 8 pm; Sunday 5 to 8 pm

Official web site of the Prado Museum





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