Mapfre Foundation (Fundación Mapfre)
Paseo de Recoletos 23, Madrid, Spain, 28004
Art fans in the know flock to the exhibition hall at the Madrid headquarters of the Mapfre Foundation (Fundación Mapfre), housed in a 19th-century building designed by Agustín Ortiz de Villajos. Here you can see works by celebrated photographers, sculptors, and painters, primarily from the 19th century onwards.
The basics
The exhibition hall is divided into three spaces, making it possible for up to three different exhibits to run concurrently. Tours are generally self-guided, and some exhibits have accompanying audio guides that you can download to your smartphone in advance. Tickets are available on the Mapfre Foundation’s website, including free tickets that can be used to save your spot on Tuesdays. Some city pass packages also include admission to the exhibition hall.
Things to know before you go
The foundation is a must-visit for fans of the famed Catalan artist Joan Miró.
You can buy a downloadable audio guide at the same time that you purchase your tickets.
Multiple exhibits often run at the same time, and tickets will usually get you into everything.
How to get there
The Mapfre Foundation’s Recoletos Exhibition Hall is located just northeast of the Parque de El Retiro, right by the Recoletos station. Metro lines 2, 4, and 5 stop nearby, as do trains C1, C2, C7, and C10 and bus numbers 5, 14, 27, 37, 45, 53, and 150.
When to get there
The exhibition hall is open daily when exhibitions are being held, from late morning until evening (except on Tuesdays, when they open after lunch). Admission on Tuesdays is free, making it a particularly popular day for a visit, so expect crowds.
Alcalá Gate (Puerta de Alcalá)
The exhibition hall is just a short jaunt from the Alcalá Gate (Puerta de Alcalá), sometimes called the Arc de Triomphe of Madrid. This recognizable monument was erected back in 1778 and was once one of five main entrances to Madrid. It's crowned by a few statues designed to represent the cardinal virtues.
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