Madrid's Art Triangle Must-Sees Near Gran Hotel Inglés
Culture and art are two of the emblems of which our capital can boast. Madrid's museums are a must for all lovers of the arts, especially painting, who will find the Art Triangle a must-see.
The Museo del Prado, the Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza and the Museo Reina Sofía are the three corners of this triangle and together they offer a rich collection of works of art from the Middle Ages to the present day.
You can find these three museums, flagships and key pieces of Madrid's culture and history, on the Paseo del Prado. This is a beautiful boulevard that connects the Plaza de Cibeles with the Plaza del Emperador Carlos V, known as Glorieta de Atocha. During your stay at the Gran Hotel Inglés 5 star Inglés you can easily reach the Paseo del Prado on foot while you enjoy an equally dazzling and history-filled tour of our beloved Barrio de las Letras.
In this article we invite you to learn more about the Art Triangle or Golden Triangle and introduce you to these three must-see museums in Madrid where you can delight in the works of art of some of the most important creators in history and enjoy contemporary art pieces that will make you fall in love.
Get to know Madrid's Art Triangle thanks to our route service in this area.
Prado Museum
The Prado Museum is one of the best known cultural attractions in Madrid and one of the most important museums in the world, as well as one of the most visited. It is, in fact, the most visited museum in our country.
It came into being thanks to the collecting enthusiasm of the different dynasties that ruled Spain for several centuries. The Prado Museum has witnessed the history of Madrid, its construction was started by Charles III in 1786 but the works were interrupted by the War of Independence until it was finally inaugurated in 1819.
The fame, the collection and the visitors to the Prado Museum have not stopped growing since then; attracted by the large presence of paintings by Velázquez, Goya, Titian and Rubens, it can boast of having the best collections of these artists in the world.
These are joined by an important collection of works of art by El Greco, Murillo, Zurbarán, Rafael, Tintoretto, Van Dyck and El Bosco, among many other classical artists.
At present, due to the security measures adopted to guarantee the safety of all those attending, it is necessary to purchase tickets to visit the Prado Museum at least 24 hours in advance, including a time slot for the visit. Groups of more than 5 people are prohibited and there will be temperature controls at the entrance. This is one of the museums recommended in our route of Madrid in 2 days.
Opening hours: Monday to Saturday from 10:00 to 20:00 and Sundays from 10:00 to 17:00. The last two hours are free of charge. More information on the official website.
Reina Sofía Museum
The permanent collection of the Reina Sofía Museum focuses on 20th century and contemporary art. It includes an important collection of works of art by great Spanish artists such as Pablo Picasso, Dalí and Miró. There is also a large presence of Surrealist art, as well as Cubism and New Figuration artists.
The building in which the Reina Sofía Museum is housed is also worth mentioning, a large 18th century neoclassical building initially designed by José Hermosilla and continued by Francesco Sabatini.
The Reina Sofía Museum has now opened the Collection 1 galleries, the Sabattini Garden, the Richard Serra and Juan Muñoz galleries and the terraces of the Nouvel building. As a security measure, the capacity has been reduced to one third, there are signposted safe routes and hydroalcoholic gel dispensers have been installed throughout the museum.
Opening hours: Monday to Saturday from 10:00 to 21:00 (Tuesday closed) and Sunday from 10:00 to 14:30
The Plaza Mayor, the epicentre of the Austrian Quarter
The Plaza Mayor is the heart of the Austrian Quarter. The historic area is home to some of Madrid's most important buildings, built during the reign of the Habsburgs. Among the highlights of this neighbourhood is the Plaza de la Villa where monuments such as the Casa de la Villa the seat of the old Town Hall, or the Cisneros House Renaissance style.
Nearby is the Almudena Cathedral located in front of the Royal Palace, and the well-known Puerta del Sol, a popular meeting place and the kilometre zero of Spain's radial roads.
Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum
The Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum completes the Art Triangle, both geographically and in terms of its pictorial offer. Inaugurated in 1992, it is the most recent of the three museums and draws on the important collection of the Barons Thyssen, which was acquired as State property.
In this museum you can enjoy a collection assembled by the Thyssen-Bornemisza family over seven decades that includes paintings ranging from Flemish and Italian primitives to contemporary works of art. Including pieces from the Renaissance, Impressionist, Expressionist and belonging to the main cultural movements of the 20th century.
The Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum also offers a wide range of temporary exhibitions. The latest is its Rembrandt and portrait exhibition, which has been extended until 30 August 2020.
