Museum sights in Madrid
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Museo de Cerralbo
Huddled beneath the modern apartment buildings northwest of Plaza de España, this noble old mansion is like an apparition of how wealthy madrileños once lived. The former home of the 17th Marqués de Cerralbo (1845–1922) – politician, poet and archaeologist – is a study in 19th-century opulence. The museum was closed for renovations at the time of writing, so for now you’ll have to admire it from the outside. When it reopens, the upper floor boasts a gala dining hall and a grand ballroom. The mansion is jammed with the fruits of the collector’s eclectic meanderings – from Oriental pieces to religious paintings and clocks. On the main floor are spread suits of armour from a…
reviewed
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Casa de la Moneda
The national mint (literally the ‘house of coin’) is a collectors’ treasure-trove of coins from Ancient Greece and Roman Spain and proceeds through the Byzantine, Visigothic and Islamic periods. The latter period is particularly well represented. Coins from the days of the Catholic Monarchs abound, and the collection continues through to the establishment of the peseta as the Spanish currency – only consigned to history by the introduction of the euro in 2002. Paper money ranges from a 14th-century Chinese note to revolutionary Russian cash. Also on display is an extensive collection of prints and grabados (etchings), lottery tickets since 1942 and stamps. You can…
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Estación de Chamberí
For years, madrileños wandered what happened to the metro station called Chamberí – they knew it existed yet it appeared on no maps and no trains ever stopped there. Over four decades later, the mystery has been solved. The answer was that Chamberí station lay along Line 1, between the stops of Bilbao and Iglesia, until 1966 when Madrid’s trains (and, where possible, platforms) were lengthened. Logistical difficulties meant that Chamberí could not be extended and the station was abandoned. In early 2008 the Estación de Chamberí finally reopened to the public, if not for trains, serving as a museum piece that re-creates the era of the station’s inauguration in 1919 with ad…
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Museo Taurino
he Plaza de Toros Monumental de Las Ventas (often known simply as Las Ventas) is not the most beautiful bullring in the world – that honour probably goes to Ronda in Andalucía – but it is the most important. Wander into the Museo Taurino, and check out the collection of paraphernalia, costumes, photos and other bullfighting memorabilia up on the top floor above one of the two courtyards by the ring. There are guided tours of the museum from 10am to 2pm from Tuesday to Friday.
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Museo Tifológico
One attraction specifically for visually impaired travellers and Spaniards is the Museo Tifológico. Run by the National Organisation for the Blind (ONCE), its exhibits (all of which may be touched) include paintings, sculptures and tapestries, as well as more than 40 scale models of world monuments, including Madrid’s Palacio Real and Cibeles fountain, as well as La Alhambra in Granada and the aqueduct in Segovia. It also provides leaflets in Braille and audio guides to the museum.
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Museo de Historia
The fine Museo de Historia (formerly the Museo Municipal) has an elaborate and restored baroque entrance, raised in 1721 by Pedro de Ribera. The interior is dominated by paintings and other memorabilia charting the historical evolution of Madrid, of which the highlight is Goya's Allegory of the City of Madrid. Also worth lingering over is the expansive model of 1830s Madrid on the ground floor. Sadly, the museum was closed for extensive renovations and may not reopen until at least 2011, but possibly not until 2012.
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Museo Municipal
The elaborate and restored baroque entrance, raised in 1721 by Pedro de Ribera, opens onto this excellent museum which charts the historical evolution of Madrid. The highlights include paintings by Goya, while Madrid de los Austrias (Habsburg Madrid) is brought to life with an absorbing model of 1830s Madrid. The museum is currently closed for major renovations and is slated to reopen sometime in 2010.
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Museo de Artes Decorativas
Give your inner antique dealer a thrill at the Museo de Artes Decorativas. A fascinating window onto the life of the upper classes from the 15th to the 19th centuries, the museum is awash with sumptuous period furniture, ceramics, carpets, tapestries and the like. Spread over five floors, it could keep you occupied for hours but probably only deserves one.
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Museo de la Ciudad
The Museo de la Ciudad has outstanding scale models of various Madrid landmarks, among them Plaza de Toros. The theme running through the museum is 'Discover your city'; it's a topic well worth exploring as the exhibits take you from Madrid's beginnings up to the Enlightenment, through the 19th century and to the present.
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Museo de San Isidro
On the site where Madrid’s patron saint, San Isidro Labrador (St Isidro, the farm labourer) ended his days around 1172, this small museum is dedicated to the saint’s life. The highlight is a model based on Pedro Teixera’s 1656 map of Madrid.
reviewed
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Casa de Lope de Vega
Casa de Lope de Vega, a literary landmark, is the former home of Lope de Vega (1562–1635) who is Spain’s premier playwright. It’s now a museum containing memorabilia from Lope de Vega’s life and work.
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Museo de Cera
The Museo de Cera is Madrid’s modest answer to Madame Tussaud’s, with more than 450 wax characters.
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Museo del Ferrocarril
The Museo del Ferrocarril is home to old railway cars, train engines and more.
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