The Prado Museum
Paseo del Prado s/n
Tel.: 913-302-892
Fax: 913-302-890
E-mail: serv.comercial@prado.mcu.es
Visiting hours from 9 to 19 Sundays and holidays until 14 hours. Closed on Mondays.
It is considered one of the best museums in the world and it’s a nightly recommended visit. Visitors should take their time, at least few hours, to see the museum and not rush through it. The origin of the museum dates back to the collections gathered by Carlos the 5th and his son Felipe the 2nd in 16th century. But the idea of bringing all these pieces together to form a museum belongs to José Bonaparte although it became a reality under Fernando the 7th.
Velazquez, Goya and the Flamenco painters are the main attractions. All three collections cannot be admired in just one visit to the museum. The painter from Seville, Diego de Silva y Velazquez, was one of Felipe the 4th´s favourite artists. And a consequence he named the painter of the court. His well-known piece of art the Meninas (or family of Felipe the 4th) can be admired in all its splendour in one of the rooms of the museum. Don Juan Calabazas, Vulcan´s Forge, the Fable of Arachne and The Drunkards are some of the canvases that are also on exhibit at the Prado.
The collection of canvases by Goya, who was also named the portrait painter of the court and the people at the beginning of 19th century are also important. Here portraits of the family of Carlos the 4th and the famous The Clothed Maja and The nude Maja can be admired. Other canvases of great importance are Saturn Devouring Her Children or the Hermitage of San Isidro.
Regarding the collection of flamenco paintings, The Three Graces by Rubens, the Gardens of Delights and the cure of folly by El Bosco. Are worth mentioning. The museum has an assembly hall where cultural events are held.
