Thread: Museums in Spain

Does anyone know any museums in Spain that have very good detailed history about Spain?
Where are these museums located?
Have you ever been to any of them? Which ones would you recommend?

I would definitely check out the Alhambra if you are in the southern region. You can fly to either Granada or Malaga, or even take a bus from another city in Spain in you have the time. You can read some of the sites about it before you get there, like wikipedia, google searches, lonely planet, etc. But do know that they only take a limited number of people in per day. Best to get tickets/reservations in advance. May have changed since I was there in 2006, so research it ahead of time. Have fun!

Thanks a lot!
I will definitely look into the Alhambra and I might even go there when I go to Spain in the near future.

I also read somewhere and a friend also told me that by visiting the country side, you can learn quite a lot of culture and way of life of the Spaniards. Visiting museums can be good, but checking out the local people first hand can give you a better experience. You can combine both however if you have the time and money but it shouldn't cost you that much as you can even hire a car and drive yourself.

I would definitely check out El Prado in Madrid. I went and it shows a very large collection of old masters. It has over 8,600 paintings and the collection covers the period between the 12th century and 19th century, its definitely worth a visit

Thanks for asking this! I love museums, and with my urge to go to Spain soon, I'll have to check out some of the museums previous posters suggested to you! El Prado sounds really cool. I love paintings, and it seems very historic. I'd love to check it out...Definitely putting it on my, "Must Visit" list!

Not mainland Spain but the largest of the Canary Islands. Tenerife has, suprisingly for it's size, twenty four museums catering for every taste. Museums of history, militaria, wine and farming on the Islands to name a very few. The Teide National Park also has it's own large museum.
Well worth a visit from the mainland for a three or four day sightseeing trip the flight out of Madrid airport takes two and a half hours into tenerife South airport.

If you want a history of all of Spain, you're probably going to want to go to Madrid. Being the capital it's going to have a lot of sites of historical interest anyway, but specifically there's the Museo Arqueologico Nacional. While you're in the city you can also see the Prado, which as others have mentioned will give you an overview of the history of Spain through its art.

Otherwise your best bet may be to pick an specific area of interest to narrow your focus, Spain's history is long, complicated, and diverse. So for example, others have mentioned the Alhambra which is an amazing example of the Moorish epoch; you can fly into Malaga airport, see the Alcazaba and rent a car to drive up to Granada, the place where the reconquista ended and the Catholic Kings are buried. You spend a day seeing that and the Alhambra and then drive over to Cordoba the next day to see the Mezquita.

But if for instance you're more interested in the Napoleonic wars, the Civil War, or the Roman era or something like that then you may as well go someplace with good involvement in that era. Not that there isn't a little bit of everything everywhere, of course.

I think ''The Archaeological Museum of Granada'' is your best bet. This place is full of artifacts that belonged to the different civilizations that once lived there... being mostly arabs and sephardic jews. This place is located in Granada, by the way. I'm planning to go there next year. If you stay close to this place, then I'd not hesitate to check this place out. It's also important to note that if you're really into history, then granada is the best place to visit. This place is filled with a lot historical buildings and places.

Spain has many museums. Every museum has its own art, structure and beauty. I will hust you to go to Museo Nacional del Prado (Popularly called El Prado) (Madrid), it is so big that you cannot look at whole museum in one day.

Spaain has countless Museums, let me mention some names of the amazing meuseums in Spain:
Guggenheim Museum, Bilbao
Museu Picasso
Dalí Theatre and Museum
Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya
Museo Picasso Málaga
Museum of the Americas
These all are the most famous museums of Spain.
Want to go on orlando package holidays.

When you do carry cash, keep some in the car, some on you and some on your spouse so that your trip is not dependent upon just one person.

Originally Posted by Lusi

Spaain has countless Museums, let me mention some names of the amazing meuseums in Spain:
Guggenheim Museum, Bilbao
Museu Picasso
Dalí Theatre and Museum
Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya
Museo Picasso Málaga
Museum of the Americas
These all are the most famous museums of Spain.
Want to go on orlando package holidays.

I visited almost all these museum except Museo Picasso Málaga. After seeing its name in your post I am feeling it is a nice museum to see in Spain. Give me detailed information about this museum and also share some images of this spot.

How about the Museo Nacional del Prado in Madrid.

The Prado has a very large collection of Old Masters. These include the artists Velazquez, Goya, Murillo, Durer, El Greco, Bosch, Rubens, Fra Angelico, David, Zurbaran, Raphael, Titian, Ribera, Van Dyck, and Rembrandt. The kings also collected sculpture, so the Prado has one of the largest sculpture collections of Europe, including the sculpture collection of Queen Cristina of Sweden

During the height of the Spanish Empire in the 16th and 17th centuries, the kings of Spain channeled some of the riches that were coming from the Americas into art. They would order from and buy paintings and sculptures from the best artists in Italy, Spain, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Germany. Spain today is one of the European countries that has the largest collections of art. Much of this art is found in its museums. Spain has also been the country that produced modern great artists such as Picasso and Dali.

This list is arbitrary (most lists are arbitrary) and contains the museums actually visited by the writer. The list has museums that have the largest collections and museums that are the most famous. There are many wonderful small museums that are not included here. It is meant as a guide for foreign visitors who love art. Following are some of the best art museums in Spain.

1. Museo Nacional del Prado (Popularly called El Prado) (Madrid)

In 1816 King Fernando VII created the Royal Museum of Painting and Sculpture, which later became the Prado Museum. It was to contain the art collection of the kings. The name of the building that houses the collection is called the Villanueva Building. Recently a big annex has been constructed by the famous Spanish architect Rafael Moneo (winner of the Pritzker Prize of Architecture). The new annex will allow more art to be exhibited. The Prado is now the largest art museum in Spain.

The Prado has a very large collection of Old Masters. These include the artists Velazquez, Goya, Murillo, Durer, El Greco, Bosch, Rubens, Fra Angelico, David, Zurbaran, Raphael, Titian, Ribera, Van Dyck, and Rembrandt. The kings also collected sculpture, so the Prado has one of the largest sculpture collections of Europe, including the sculpture collection of Queen Cristina of Sweden (her inheritor sold it to the Spanish crown).

The Prado is known to have more than 8,600 paintings. The collection of art covers the period between the 12th century through the 19th century.

The most important painting in the collection is “Las Meninas”, by Velazquez. The painting has psychological facets that have fascinated viewers for a very long time. Then there are two paintings by Goya, “The Naked Maja” and “The Clothed Maja”. There is still controversy about who was the woman painted by Goya. A third Goya is “The Third of May”.

Another important painting is “The Three Graces”, by Rubens. Then there is “The Garden of Delights” by Bosch. Other famous paintings are “The Martyrdom of St. Philip” by Jose Ribera, three “Immaculate Conceptions” by Bartolome Murillo. El Greco painted “The Resurrection” and “The Adoration of the Shepherds”.

The museum is so large that it is impossible to see everything in one day. One has to choose what art interests him before deciding what to see.

2. The Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum (Madrid)

In the 1993 the Spanish government bought the private collection of the Baron Hans Heinrich von Thyssen, which contained more than 1500 paintings. This was the second biggest private collection in the world, second to the collection of the Queen of England. Many countries wanted to buy it, but the Baron was influenced by his Spanish wife Carmen Cervera.

The Spanish government agreed to remodel the neoclassic Villahermosa Palace to house the collection. The Spanish architect Rafael Moneo was in charge of the remodeling. Today the building is stunning, with pink marble floors and many other amenities. Several years later, Carmen Cervera agreed to lend her personal collection of art to the museum, so a new annex was designed to house her collection, and the same Spanish architect designed the annex.

It is known that the Thyssen Museum fill holes in the collection of the Prado. It has the best collection of German Expressionists. There are paintings from many Impressionists and Post Impressionists, such as Gauguin. There is also Pop Art and avant garde art from early in the 20th century. The Cervera collection also has the best collections of Catalan art and Andalusian art in Spain. The museum has a beautiful cafeteria set amid beautiful gardens.

3. The National Museum “Centro de Arte Reina Sofia” (Also known as MNCARS), (Madrid)

In 1992 the King and Queen of Spain inaugurated the Reina Sofia Museum. This museum contains contemporary art from the 20th century. The building was originally a hospital designed by the architect Francisco Sabatini. The famous French architect Jean Nouvel recently completed an expansion. The museum is most famous for displaying Pablo Picasso’s “Guernica”.

Other artist displayed are Delaunay, Gris, Miro, Calder, Arp, Dali, Man Ray, Ives Klein, Francis Bacon, Tapies, and Dubuffet. Besides paintings, the museum has a collection of 100,000 books. The aim of the museum is to give the public access to modern and contemporary art. Much of the art displayed came from the Prado.

4. Real Academia de Bellas Artes de San Fernando (Madrid)

This museum is housed in a 17th century baroque palace owned by Juan de Goyeneche. It has paintings from the last 500 years. Among the Old Masters found here are Ribera, Velazquez, El Greco, Rubens, Zurbaran, and Murillo. Newer artist include Zuloaga and Sorolla. There are more than 1500 paintings and 570 sculptures.

Goya was a member of the academy since 1780 and the academy has 13 paintings by him. These include two self portraits, portraits of Moratin, Juan de Villanueva, and the actress La Tirana.

Other famous paintings include Zurbaran’s “Agnus Dei” and “Los Frailes Mercedarios”, a “Maria Magdalena” from Ribera, and Rubens’ “Susana y los Viejos”. Among the many sculptures are the “Cabeza de Mujer” by Picasso, “Academia” by Pablo Gargallo, and “La Dolorosa” by Pedro de Mena.

Many art lovers seem to be unaware of the existence of this very good art museum and there is little traffic from visitors. Only the dedicated art lovers have seen the museum.

5. Museo de Bellas Artes (Seville)

The Museo de Bellas Artes was founded in 1839 in the old Convento de la Merced Calzada, which was originally built in 1602. The building is an example of Andalusian mannerist architecture of the 17th century. At that time the government confiscated all the art in the convents and monasteries of Spain, and the art from Seville was placed in this museum. This museum is one of the most important in Spain.

The art in this museum dates from the medieval times to the modern times, with an emphasis on the Seville school. This includes artists such as Francisco de Zurbaran, Juan de Valdes Leal, and Bartolome Esteban Murillo.

The former church of the convent is a very large structure with the most beautiful architecture. The ceiling and the cupola are amazingly beautiful.

The Sevilla School painted mostly huge altarpieces, that could be seen from far away. There are about 15 large paintings by Murillo, the most beautiful he painted in his lifetime. Other painters found here are Francisco Pacheco, Velazquez, and Cano. You can also find El Grecos and Goyas in the museum.

Nice information.thanks for sharing.

They are simply amazing and to me bus tours from nyc to maine is one of those things which are quite healthy to me and works for sure.

Thanks for sharing your views ailizawat.

yes, I visit the Granada with my family. this place is nice and beautiful. its historical building seems nice at night lights. sunset is the great sight from the village of Granadilla hill. I really enjoy this visit and would like to recommend to all.

I never visited the Granada before in my whole traveling life but have heard about it a lot from many of the peoples and after heard their views I just came to know that it is a fascinated place to having fun there. So I will be there as soon as possibel. At that time my friends having a plan to make a tour to the Paris. I hope they will spent nice time there

Need suggestions about the Niagara tours from Washington DC.

Niagara tours from Washington DC is good for travelling lovers. this is a beautiful and natural environment. Niagara falls and Niagara on the Lake fully guided bus tour in one price $ 99 for the full day launch facility is available in this package. The thrill of a lifetime without any line up for the tickets. You can go anytime for the boat ride in your free time, so you will have more time to explore on your own without waiting for others. This offer is only available with guided Tours.

Guggenheim Museum is a most famous tourist destination of the world. It is a nice place for history lover to explore in Spain. I have been there before my niagara falls bus tours from new york about two years ago with my few friends. We all had great time there and had a lots of fun there. It is a best place where a lot of visitors go there with family and kids and had great time there. I will suggest you to must go there once. I hope you will fully enjoy there like I enjoyed.

Hyrrin! I have never visited Spain in my life. But your discussion about Spain was great. I am a history lover so I want to visit this museum. Would you like to share more information about this museum? But I had visited Niagara fall twice a time in my life. This destination is my favorite destination. I never forget my this tour. I want to visit Niagara fall again and again.

Noah! I think you enjoy in Niagara Falls visit. You are visiting lover who visits the beautiful places around the world. So will you some information share with us about Niagara falls? I heard lot about Niagara falls beauty and Who love to natural beauty they should go there. I am want to visit there in next Decembers with my family members to see its beauty.

I have visited the Spain once in my life and had great time there with the attractions of it, I must say guys, I had splendid tour there with the all traveling freaks. I had made some friends there during my tour period, All of them were travelers and we enjoyed very much together and still If I will be there again then will like to meet them all.