Madrid has some of the nicest
collections of art paintings of the world open to the public. Three of
the world most important museums are within walking distance: Prado Museum,
Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum and Reina Sofia Museum. Weather in Madrid usually
invites to go walking, so you can easily combine the pleasures of walking
and visiting museums on a single day. Madrid is a city very friendly to
visitors.
Prado
Museum, in Spanish, 'Museo del Prado', hosts the best collection
of paintings from Velazquez and Goya, is Spain's main art museum. Don't
miss 'El Jardín de las Delicias' from El Bosco, a triptic miniature
from the Flemish School
Thyssen-Bornemisza
Museum hosts
the Thyssen collections, with almost 1000 paintings from the the thirteenth
century to the twentieth century, complements Prado and CARS, with more
international focus.
Reina
Sofia Museum, in Spanish, Centro de Arte Reina Sofia, aka CARS,
includes the famous Pablo Picasso's Guernica, symbol of Spanish Civil War,
also works from Joan Miro and Salvador Dali, and in general, modern paintings
and sculptures.
Some excellents hotels close
to these museums: Palace Hotel and Ritz Hotel. Just cross the street and
you are at Prado Museum! From Prado museum, walk 5 minutes to the South,
cross the street and you are at Thyssen's museum. Again, walk 5 minutes
to the South, and you are almost at CARS.
If at some time you get tired
of art museums, just walk to Botanic Garden or Retiro Park, an impressive
green surface in the middle of Madrid.
Once you are in Madrid, you
will probably enjoy going to the surroundings, typical places are Segovia,
with a Roman aqueduct; Avila, with Middle Age city walls; Toledo, the 3
cultures – Jewish, Muslim and Christian – city, with a great cathedral
and tortuos old city; Aranjuez, famous for its gardens; El Escorial, site
of Philippe II court. All these places are about 1 hour or less from Madrid,
by car or train.
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Copyright 2006 - Ignacio
Garcia del Valle - GVmaps.com
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