How the Prado Museum Became an Art Icon

Madrid, 1819, Calle Ruiz de Alarcón. In what is now the European art mile, a monumental building rises as if it knows its destiny will be epic. But what few people realise is that the Museo del Prado was born with a scientific purpose… and almost accidentally became one of the most important art galleries on the planet.

It was 1785. Carlos III —the enlightened king with a wig and a passion for modernity— commissioned architect Juan de Villanueva to design a building to house the Gabinete de Historia Natural (Natural History Cabinet), a kind of 'mega science museum' combining taxidermy, minerals and skeletons.

In 1808, the Peninsular War broke out. Napoleonic troops destroyed half the city, and Villanueva's impressive neoclassical building was abandoned, left without creatures or display cases. Madrid forgot about it for years…

Isabel of Braganza: the queen without a selfie who invented the Prado

Why did a royal museum become public?

The museum's initial collection wasn't made public out of royal generosity, but necessity. Fernando VII had a disastrous kingdom and debts everywhere, and opening a museum was a way to gain cultural prestige on a budget. And it worked. The Prado grew, adding works not only from royals but also from expropriated convents, patrons, donations, and a few masterful purchases. Today, it has over 35,000 catalogued pieces, though only a fraction are on display.

Things you didn't know about the Prado (and should share at the hostel)

1.- It wasn’t called “Museo del Prado” until 1920. Before that, it was the Royal Museum, National Museum and other variations.

2.- Its first official guide only listed Spanish artists. Pure enlightened nationalism.

3.- Goya was a contemporary of the museum. He died in 1828, when the Prado had been open for just 9 years.

4.- The building is still the same, expanded and adapted. The original Villanueva structure is the heart of the museum.

5.- You can enter for free every day in the late afternoon.

The Prado today: a temple of art… and a bit of showing off

If you come to Madrid and skip the Prado, your trip is incomplete. But don’t stress: you don’t need to see it all (or understand it all). Here’s a plan to enjoy the museum without feeling overwhelmed:

🖼️ 3 rooms you shouldn’t miss:

Room 12: Las Meninas. The painting that changed everything.

Room 32: Goya’s The 3rd of May. Goya in full rage mode.

Room 56B: The Garden of Earthly Delights. The wildest trip in art history.

🕕 Free hours: Monday to Saturday: 18:00 to 20:00 Sundays and public holidays: 17:00 to 19:00

💡 Hostel tip: Grab a picnic in Retiro Park beforehand and kill time at Cuesta de Moyano. Second-hand books + atmosphere.

Did you know the Museo del Prado has so many works that many aren’t displayed due to space constraints and are carefully stored like treasures?

During the Spanish Civil War, some of its most valuable paintings were hidden in Switzerland to protect them from bombings. Additionally, on special occasions, the museum opens at night for unique nocturnal visits. If this coincides with your stay, don’t miss it.

Sure, you knew you could enter for free. But what you might not know is that the Museo del Prado has let its hair down and started hosting cultural night parties. Yes, you read that right: art, DJs and night-time vibes… all inside Madrid’s most classic museum. Welcome to 'El Prado de noche'.

Every first Saturday of the month, the museum opens its doors from 20:30 to 00:30. But not as you know it: the lights dim, the music turns up, and the paintings give you strange looks. The plan? Visit top exhibitions while a DJ (yes, a real one) spins music in the Sala de las Musas. The last session was with Radio 3.