Museo del Prado

The Museuo del Prado (The Prado) features one of the world's finest collections of European art. Serving as an art gallery and museum, the facility's collection hails from the 12th Century through the early 19th Century. In all, the museum boasts 5,000 drawings, 700 sculptures, 1,000 coins and medals, 3.000 paintings, 2.000 prints and 2.000 decorative objects and works of art.

Constructed during the reign of Charles III, the Museu del Prado is part of a magnificent building scheme. The physical design of the museum to serve as an urban space lends its name to the Museu del Prado (Prado meaning meadow in Spanish). Originally, the building was titled Salon del Prado, and then Paseo del Prado, before garnering its current name.

During the War of Independence, prior to its role as a museum, the building served as headquarters for the cavalry. It was also used as a gunpowder store for the Napoleonic troops.

In 1819, the museum officially opened. In 1868, under the orders of Isabella II, the museum was nationalized and given its current name. Since then, the facility has undergone numerous additions, the first taking place in 1918. Also around that time, the main building was expanded to include small pavilions. Two buildings were incorporated into the structure: the Cason del Buen Retiro and Salon de Reinos. Most recently, the museum was enlarged under the direction of architect Rafael Moneo in 2007.