The Spanish capital has an unparalleled artistic heritage in a short walk
MADRID, TRIANGLE OF ART
THE PRADO MUSEUM
THYSSEN-BORNEMISZA MUSEUM
REINA SOFÍA NATIONAL ART MUSEUM
MADRID OF ART
DEJA UN COMENTARIO
JANIRE ZURBANO ARRESE
Which city offers three of the most important art museums in less than 10 minutes away on foot from one another? This is the Spanish capital, Madrid, and its famous Triangle of Art, a space that includes the Prado Museum, the Thyssen-Bornemisza and the Reina Sofía National Museum. This artistic route takes you through the most complete picture galleries of the world, with masterpieces of Velazquez, Goya or El Greco at the Prado; Picasso, Miró, Kandinsky, Dalí, Tàpies or Antonio López at the Reina Sofía; and Hopper, Bacon or Freud at the Thyssen.
Madrid is one of the main European capitals of art, with an unparalleled artistic heritage. There is nowhere else in the world with so many masterpieces in such a small area. You can take a walk along the Triangle of Art or Triangle of Gold, which has nothing to envy of the British Museum in London or the Louvre Museum in Paris. The Prado Museum, the Thyssen-Bornemisza and the Reina Sofía National Museum are the stars of this unique tour throughout the history and evolution of painting from the Middle Ages to the present day. Now there is yet another reason to visit them: the new additions built to expand their facilities, truly architectural gems. In addition, the three museums are located in one of the city's main avenues: Paseo del Prado. We suggest you to take a walk along this route, shaded by leafy trees, so you can enjoy such emblematic landmarks as the 18th-century fountains of Cibeles and Neptune, the Royal Botanical Gardens or the Astronomical Observatory.
Let’s start the route at the Cibeles fountain, place of worship for Real Madrid soccer team supporters, and walk down Paseo del Prado. Once you have passed Neptune fountain, you’ll see the well-known Prado Museum at your left. It has one of the world's most important painting collections, with the best of the Spanish, Italian and Flemish schools, encompassing the 12th to 18th centuries. Since it opened in 1819, the Prado Museum has steadily grown. However, its latest expansion is the largest in its history. The new building, designed by the prominent Spanish architect Rafael Moneo, features the use of glass for natural lighting and monumental bronze doors, the work of the sculptor Cristina Iglesias. Some of its outstanding paintings include Las Meninas or The Family of Philip IV (also known as The Maids of Honour) by Velázquez; Goya's The Third of May 1808; and The Garden of Earthly Delights by Hieronymus Bosch, as well as works painted by Tiziano, Rubens and El Greco.
Going back to the Neptune fountain, the Thysses Museum will appear at your right. This place represents the perfect transition between the classic works of the Prado Museum and the contemporary ones found in the Reina Sofía Art Centre. Besides, it owns one of the most valuable private collections in the world. The need for more space for its acquisitions was the reason why they created a new building in the same style as the already existing one, the Villahermosa Palace. The itinerary begins with 13th century Western painting and goes all the way through the most important movements of the 19th and 20th centuries. Highlights of its artistic collection include works from the Impressionist, avant-garde and 60s Pop Art movements. Hanging on its walls you'll find paintings by Monet, Van Gogh, Cezanne, Klee and Kandinsky, among many others.
At the end of Paseo del Prado, right in front of Atocha station, you’ll find an avant-garde and up-to-date museum: the Reina Sofía National Art Museum. It reflects the most innovative artistic trends and sets the standard in contemporary art. It is also home to Pablo Picasso's world-famous Guernica. Miró, Dalí, Tàpies, Juan Gris and Chillida, among others, are all represented in this museum's extensive collection. In the architectural sphere, its recent addition is the work of the famous Jean Nouvel.
As we see, Madrid is a point of reference for those who love art. All the beauty and history of art are yours in just a short walk. It has never been easier. Everyone who wants to come along the pictorial Triangle of Art can buy a combined ticket in order to visit these three museums once for 25,60 euros. The annual ticket for going to the three museums all the times you want costs 36,06 euros, and it also allows you to get in all state-owned museums. Anyway, enjoying this artistic heritage located at only one avenue is priceless, so take a chance to enjoy the Madrid of ART, the one that won’t let anyone indifferent. You will be keen to return.