Some of Madrid’s most popular museums are located near SLEEP’N. Forming a triangle, the Prado Museum, the Reina Sofía Museum and the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum are usually a must-see for most tourists visiting Madrid.
However, there are other museums which, for one reason or another, tend to go unnoticed and are real hidden gems that we’d like to help you discover.
THE OTHER MUST-SEES:
MUSEUM OF THE ROYAL ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS OF SAN FERNANDO
The Museum of the Royal Academy of Fine Arts of San Fernando, near the Puerta del Sol, is one of the finest art galleries in Spain.
With its collection of paintings, sculptures, drawings and photographs, it offers a comprehensive journey through the history of art from the Renaissance to the latest trends of the 21st century. In its galleries you’ll find masterpieces by Goya, Zurbarán, Ribera and Rubens, as well as the only Arcimboldo preserved in Spain, right through to more contemporary artists such as Picasso and Juan Gris.
It is also home to the National Chalcography Museum, which houses plates and prints by artists such as Mariano Fortuny, Madrazo, Picasso and Chillida. However, its greatest treasure is the collection of copper plates etched by Francisco de Goya – masterpieces in the universal history of printmaking, some of which he was forced to destroy due to the Inquisition.
It also boasts an extensive programme of temporary exhibitions, concerts, lectures and courses, all of which are equally fascinating.
Address: Alcalá 13, Madrid
MUSEUM OF ROMANTICISM
The Museum of Romanticism recreates a 19th-century palace-style residence. You can discover what society was like during this historical period, as well as who the key figures of this cultural movement in Spain were.
Through its collection of paintings, ceramics, miniatures, photographs, toys, jewellery and furniture, we can gain an insight into the lifestyle, décor and customs of the upper middle classes, as well as the characteristics of the Romantic movement.
One of the most special corners of this unique museum is the Magnolia Garden with its circular fountain, which follows the layout of an 18th-century French model. Here you’ll find the Museum Garden Café, where you can enjoy a coffee surrounded by the romantic atmosphere that inspired the artists of the early decades of the 19th century.
Address: C/ San Mateo, 13, Madrid
SOROLLA MUSEUM
The Sorolla Museum preserves the original atmosphere of the home and studio of the painter Joaquín Sorolla y Bastida. It is one of the most complete and best-preserved artists’ houses in Europe and houses a large part of his masterpieces, as well as his personal belongings.
Another highlight of the museum is its gardens, inspired by different styles of courtyards and gardens found throughout Spain.
The gardens at the entrance, for instance, are inspired by the Jardín de Troya at the Reales Alcázares in Seville. The second garden is a blend of the Patio de la Acequía at the Generalife and classical Italian gardens. And in the third garden there is a lovely pond surrounded by vegetation, with water flowing from ‘La fuente de las confidencias’ (The Fountain of Confidences).
Certainly, if there’s one place in Madrid where you can experience the colour, sunshine and breeze of the Mediterranean, it’s the Joaquín Sorolla House-Museum.
Address: Paseo del General Martínez Campos, 37. Madrid
Here are three examples, though we realise there are many more. Sometimes it’s worth going against the grain and looking beyond the obvious to discover true wonders.
