Prado Museum

The statue honouring Velázquez on your right is a sign that you’ve reached the famous Prado Museum. The bronze figure shows the painter holding his palette and brush, echoing the pose he gave himself in his most famous painting: Las Meninas. The museum first opened its doors in 1819, commissioned by King Charles III. It was designed by architect Juan Villanueva in 1785 who wanted to create a royal cabinet of natural history. However, just as the building was being completed, Napoleon’s troops invaded Spain and the War of Independence broke out. The building was therefore used as barracks, the lead sheets from the roof were melted down into bullets, and consequently, the place was nearly left in ruins. It wasn’t until after the war, when King Ferdinand VII regained the throne, that the project came back to life. For that, you can thank his wife, Queen Maria Isabel of Braganza — because it’s thanks to her that many of the royal family’s private collections ended up here and that the building was finally converted into a museum. Over the years, the Prado has grown into one of the most important art museums in Europe, home to the world’s most complete collection of Spanish paintings. It’s also the most visited cultural institution in the country, which is no surprise as you can find masterpieces by some of Europe’s greatest painters. Some of the works here were true milestones in art history — such as Velázquez’s Las Meninas, one of the most analyzed paintings in Western art for its mysterious composition. There are also many others, such as Rubens’ Three Graces, El Greco’s The Nobleman with His Hand on His Chest, and Goya’s Nude Maja, which nearly got the painter in serious trouble for its controversy. Art lovers will want to plan at least half a day to fully explore this museum. If you’re short on time or just want a quick peek, admission is free during the last two hours before closing.