Reina Sofia Museum

The Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía, or "the Reina Sofía" to friends, is one of the three legs of Madrid's Art Triangle, along with the other national museums El Prado and Thyssen-Bornemisza. The Reina Sofía is a must-see destination for art lovers who want to explore the most avant-garde creations of the 20th and 21st centuries.

It is one of the largest art galleries in the world, with more than eight thousand works of art by great artists. The names alone are striking: Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dalí, Joan Miró, Juan Gris and Georges Braque.

The building in which the Reina Sofía is housed was originally the General Hospital of Madrid, commissioned by Charles III and initially designed by the architects Hermosilla and Sabatini. Although it was slated for demolition in the mid-20th century, towards the end of Franco's regime it was declared a historic-artistic building and a restoration plan was initiated.

It opened in 1986, so it is a "young" museum in relation to others you will visit in Madrid. But in that short time, the Reina Sofía has grown in prestige and international recognition, attracting visitors from all over the world with its unique approach and exceptional collection. In fact, on several occasions it has surpassed the Prado Museum or the MOMA itself in New York in the number of visits.

One of the museum's greatest attractions is undoubtedly the famous mural painting "Guernica" by Pablo Picasso. This masterpiece of modern art is a symbol of protest and denunciation of violence and oppression: it was painted during the Spanish Civil War and depicts the consequences of a Nazi bombing in the Spanish town of Vizcaya, which gives its name to the work. To observe the monumentality and intensity of this painting up close is a breathtaking experience that transports you back to a crucial moment in history.

But the Reina Sofía Museum does not stop there. Its rooms house a wide variety of artistic expressions, from painting and sculpture to photography, film and installation. With its focus on modern and contemporary Spanish art, it is the perfect place to follow the changes of the avant-garde and neo-avant-garde movements of the 20th century and discover how Spanish artists made a significant contribution to the global art scene.

You can also enjoy temporary exhibitions and travelling shows. Since its conception, the Reina Sofía has also offered a programme that seeks to include both emerging and established contemporary artists, so it also gives you the opportunity to keep abreast of the latest artistic trends and discover new talents.

On your visit to the Reina Sofía Museum, we recommend spending at least half a day touring its galleries. The architecture of the cultural complex and its iconic glass lifts with views of Atocha and Paseo del Prado are another attraction that will give you an unforgettable postcard of Madrid. Finally, don't forget that admission to the museum includes a visit to the Palacio Velázquez and Palacio de Cristal, two must-see art galleries in the Retiro Park.