Prado is the most important museum of Madrid, and even counts to one of the most important in the whole world. Prado means “meadow” in the English language.
The construction works for the impressive building started in 1785. It was Charles III who gave the arrangement for such kind of project. The museum was built in a neoclassic style.
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The focal point of Prado is the Spanish painting. The museum owns the most comprehensive collections of El Greco (1541-1614), Velazquez (1599-1660) and Goyas (1746-1828).
The visitor is also able to find works of following artists: Jose de Ribera, Francisco de Zurbaran, Bartolome Esteban Murillo, Hieronymus Bosch, Rubens, Brueghel, Dürer, Cranach, Botticelli, Rafael, Tizian, Tintoretto, Caravaggio, and many more. The whole quantity comprises more than 7.500 artworks. Only one third of it is exhibited.
The hugeness of Prado might be quite confusing for some first time visitors. It’s possible not to know what to see and where to go. Orientation is very important in Prado.
The most fascinating artworks in the museum which should be seen are “La Menias” from Diego de Velazquez, “El Jardin de las Delicias” from Hieronymus Bosch, and the sad face of the little dog in “Perro semihundido” from Francisco de Goya.
Metro 1: Atocha
Metro 2: Banco de Espana