Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía

Interesting facts

1. 1

   The building originally functioned as the General Hospital of Madrid, commissioned by King Charles III in the 18th century.

2. 2

   The central courtyard of the Sabatini building retains the original 18th-century layout, while the exterior glass elevators were added specifically for the museum's 1990 opening.

3. 3

   Guernica was returned to Spain from New York's Museum of Modern Art in 1981, following the death of Franco and the restoration of democracy.

4. 4

   The museum's library specializes in contemporary art and contains over 100,000 volumes.

5. 5

   The Nouvel Building expansion, designed by Jean Nouvel, was added in 2005 to provide additional gallery space, a library, and an auditorium.

6. 6

   The museum holds a significant collection of surrealist art, including works that highlight the intersection of cinema and painting in the 20th century.

Overview

The Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía houses Spain's national collection of 20th-century and contemporary art. The museum is anchored by Pablo Picasso's monumental 1937 mural, Guernica. The institution occupies a renovated 18th-century hospital building, the former Hospital de San Carlos, characterized by its iconic external glass elevators added by architect Ian Ritchie in 1990. The collection focuses heavily on Spanish artists, including extensive holdings of works by Salvador Dalí and Joan Miró. It serves as a comprehensive archive of Spanish avant-garde movements, transitioning from historical avant-gardes to the post-war period and beyond. The museum operates across two main buildings: the Sabatini Building and the expanded Nouvel Building, which features a distinctive red overhanging roof. It is a state-owned museum under the Spanish Ministry of Culture.

Insider tips

• Prioritize your visit to the second floor, where Guernica and the most significant 20th-century Spanish works are displayed.

• Use the exterior glass elevators for a view of the museum's courtyard and the surrounding Madrid skyline.

• Check the museum website for temporary exhibition schedules, as the collection layout is frequently reconfigured.