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Let's talk about modern and contemporary art, about an unrivalled location in the Spanish capital, about a catalogue of works of art on a par with the biggest international names, about dynamic activity in temporary exhibitions, let's talk about the Reina Sofía Museum.
The Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía is a permanent fixture in the top 10 most visited museums in the world, with the permission of the Museo del Prado, and one of the leading international museums for this type of artistic expression.
It belongs to what is known as Madrid's "Art Triangle". To the south we find the most modern period, the most modern vertex of the triangle is the Reina Sofía, the Prado Museum in the most central part, with a whole range of works and periods that take us from the 12th to the 19th century, and finally, to the north we find the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum, with works that travel from the 12th century to the end of the 20th century.
The most spectacular thing of all is that you can take in this triangle in just fifteen minutes. Never has travelling through the centuries been so easy and enriching. The vertex of the Reina Sofía Museum is made up of Nouvel's buildings, the Sabatini and the Velázquez and Cristal palaces.
Well, there's something even more spectacular and mind-blowing; having your hostel right there. Imagine sleeping two minutes away from the Reina Sofia Museum, spending the day strolling among the best museums in the world and being able to take a nap to recharge your batteries whenever you want.
That's what happens with the best hostel in Madrid; Latroupe Prado. You're right in the centre, surrounded by all the comforts, with the best atmosphere in the capital with people from all over the world, to share stories and create new adventures.
Add to that fantastic facilities, a great treatment by the staff and the Café de la Plata at your feet, to enjoy the best drinks, live music, good vibes and unbeatable value for money.
Let's take a stroll through its works, its history and all the information you may find useful before your visit to one of the fastest growing and most influential institutions in its sector.
The history of the Reina Sofía Museum is a clear example of how hard beginnings can be, and if not, just tell that to the building that houses its collections; the Sabatini building.
It was in the 16th century when King Philip II decided to unite all the Court hospitals in this building. Although it began to resemble the one we know today when Charles III, in the 17th century, decided that the facilities were insufficient for the use that had been given to it and it was the architects José de Hermosilla and Francisco Sabatini, the latter being the most important, who were responsible for the work on the current building.
After the death of Carlos III, the building stopped being built and was once again used as a hospital. Over the years it underwent numerous modifications, reforms and hardships until 1965, when the hospital was closed for good.
This marked the end of a long period for the building, whose existence was assured thanks to its being declared a Historic-Artistic Monument in 1977. It had to wait three more years for renovation work to begin before it became the Centro de Arte Reina Sofía in 1986, which only uses floors 1 and 2 of the former hospital for temporary exhibitions.
The building and the institution were almost finished, although the coup de grâce would come two years later, in 1988, when extensive modifications were carried out in which the three exterior lifts, created in steel and glass by José Luis Íñiguez de Onzoño, Antonio Vázquez de Castro and the British architect Ian Ritchie, stand out. They have become a true hallmark of the museum.
As a final chronology, it is worth mentioning the dates of 27 May 1988, when the Museum was created as an autonomous body, the opening of the door as such with the name of museum in 1990 and the inauguration by Their Majesties King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofía on 10 September 1992.
Until then it had only hosted temporary exhibitions, so the inauguration opened the door definitively to contemporary art in many of its artistic expressions, both in Madrid and throughout the country.
There is no doubt that the creation of the museum was more of a necessity than a simple idea. This is demonstrated by the number of visitors, the number of exhibitions and the large acquisition of works and the cultural movement that the museum encourages.
As the country's most important museum for modern and contemporary art, the facilities were improved and extended in 2001. The architect in charge of this new project was Jean Nouvel.
Nouvel, known for his particular way of giving soul to his creations, is the creator of other buildings such as the Louvre in Abu Dhabi, the Dentsu skyscraper in Tokyo and the Agbar Tower, now known as Torre Glòries.
In September 2005 the doors of a new building opened, which in turn created a new public square, creating a new meeting place in the capital. The capacity of the new Reina Sofía Museum was increased by 60%, reaching 84,048 m² of floor space.
Here you have all the information about the opening times and the different ticket prices and how you can benefit from some price reductions, even go for free.
Main Headquarters. Sabatini Building and Nouvel Building.
Monday 10:00-21:00
Tuesday Cerrado
Wednesday to Saturday 10:00-21:00
Sunday 10:00-14:30
We recommend to consult their website about Holidays and bank holidays.
Open every day
From january to february 10:00-18:00
March 10:00-19:00
From april to september 10:00-22:00
October 10:00-19:00
From november to december 10:00-18:00
Free admission for individuals and while stocks last.
Monday 19:00-21:00
Wednesday-Saturday 19:00-21:00
Sunday 12:30-14:30
Public Holidays: 18 April, 18 May, 12 October and 6 December
1 and 6 January, 1 May, 15 May, 9 November, 24, 25 and 31 December
Main venue. Sabatini Building and Nouvel Building.
Individual general admission
Ticket offices / Online: 12 €.
General individual ticket valid for two visits.
Ticket offices / Online: 18 €.
Entitles you to visit the Museum throughout the year from the day of the first visit.
Ticket offices: 16,50 €.
Visits both the Collection, with audio guide, and the temporary exhibitions.
Ticket offices / Online: 32 €.
Visit to Museo Reina Sofía, Museo Nacional del Prado and Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza.
Ticket office: 36,06 €.
Visit all the State Museums for one year from the day of purchase.
Yes, you read that right. In addition to visiting the Museum at the times indicated above, you have several options that will allow you free admission to the Museo Reina Sofía. You must present your ID card.
It's not free, but it's almost. If you are part of one of the following groups, as well as being part of the Centro Nacional de Difusión Musical, you will have half price access to the museum on presentation of your accreditation.
Venue Parque del Retiro. Palacio de Velázquez and Palacio de Cristal.
Free Access
Imagine entering the museum without queuing. Science fiction? No, Madrid City Card, with which you can also enjoy many other advantages.
The Reina Sofía Museum is not only a place full of inventiveness and creativity. It is a place that awakens the senses and invites you to travel through times, places and even corners of yourself. And that's the first thing you should know about its subject matter; modern and contemporary avant-garde art for everyone.
If you are new to this art, we recommend that you start with the best-known works and gradually enter this world that will hypnotise you.
Picasso's timeless work, one of his most representative and famous creations. More than seven metres wide by three metres high, it depicts, among other things, the horror and suffering of the Nazi bombing of the Basque town of Guernica. It is possibly the museum's greatest attraction since it opened its doors and was acquired in 1992.
You should also visit the Malaga-born painter's "La mujer en azul", his first work while living in Madrid, where his characteristic cubist style was still an intuition.
Even if you don't know anything about art, this explicit title may already give you an idea of who its creator was; Dalí. The eccentric surrealist icon admitted that he drew himself on several occasions in this painting, as well as basing it, once, on his eternal muse Gala.
Don't forget to look for "Muchacha en la ventana", a work that almost embraces realism, and which was created using his sister as a model. It was painted just four years before The Great Masturbator.
With Dalí's permission, we come to another essential figure of surrealism. A key artist of the 20th century and one of the most influential worldwide, Joan Miró. This painting, perhaps one of his most famous, represents his fear of what he saw on the horizon in Spain; fascism and war. You should also stop by to see his painting "La Casa de la Palmera", one of his first great works, still far removed from surrealism.
