Madrid
Madrid
+ Madrid
Sights
* Basilica de San Francisco El Grande
* Basilica de San Miguel
* Botín
* Calle de Serrano
* Casa de América
* Casa Museo de Lope de Vega
* Casa de la Villa
* Casón del Buen Retiro
* Catedral de La Almundena
* Catedral de San Isidro
* Centro Cultural Conde Duque
* Convento de las Carboneras
* Ermita de San Antonio de la Florida
* Estadio Santiago Bernabéu (Bernabéu Stadium)
* Iglesia de las Calatravas
* Iglesia de Las Salesas
* Iglesia de San Andrés Apóstol
* Iglesia y Convento de las Trinitarias
* Mercado de San Miguel
* Monasterio de la Encarnación
* Museo Arqueológico Nacional
* Museo Nacional de Antropología
* Museo Nacional de Artes Decorativas
* Museo De La Real Academia De Bellas Artes De San Fernando
* Museo Cerralbo
* Museo Chicote
* Museo del Ejército
* Museo Naval
* Museo Romántico
* Museo Del Traje
* Palacio de Comunicaciones
* Palacio de las Cortes
* The Paseos
* Plaza de la Cibeles
* Plaza de Toros de las Ventas
* Puerta del Sol
* Puerta de Toledo
* El Rastro (Rastro Flea Market)
* Real Fábrica de Tapices
* Real Jardín Botánico
* Teleférico
* Telefónica
Excursions
+ Excursions
Walk/Drive
Food&Drink
In The Know
Did You Know?
( Highly Recommended )
Like London's Victoria and Albert Museum and the Musée des Arts Decoratifs in Paris, this is a must for anyone interested in design and fine craftsmanship. Throughout the five floors of this converted mansion the collection focuses on Spanish traditions, but places them in a wider context. The glassware from La Granja, for example, contrasts with centuries-old pieces dating from Greek and Roman times as well as more modern Lalique. Porcelain from Spanish factories compares with works from elsewhere in Europe, such as Meissen, Limoges and Sèvres.
The undoubted highlight is the famous tiled kitchen on the fourth floor, brought here from a palace in Valencia. Covered in hand-painted pictorial tiles, this is a snapshot of 18th-century life that shows the mistress of the house and her retinue of servants - from the butler in frock coat and buckled shoes to the African woman wielding a broom. Food historians note the copper pots, the leg of lamb, partridge, chorizos (sausages) and even a tray of cakes and turrón (nougat) that look good enough to eat. Most fun are the cats which are stealing a fish from the pan and an eel from the shopping basket.
Furniture, tapestries, an ornate silver tabletop showing all the signs of the zodiac - there is much to admire here. Don't, however, miss the room dedicated to the fan, that most Spanish of all fashion accessories. Follow its evolution from simple palm leaves to intricate designs in silk and mother-of-pearl. Even the language of the fan is deciphered.
Address: Calle de Montalbán 12
Phone: 91 532 64 99
Hours: Tue-Fri 9:30-3, Sat, Sun, public hols 10-3
Restaurant: Plenty near by (Inexpensive)
Metro: Banco de España, Retiro
Accessible: Good
Admission: Cheap (free for children, over 65s, and Sun)
Other: Parque del Retiro
Practical: Free tour Sun 11:30 (not Jul-Sep)
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