Museo del Prado

All I can say is that I was in a room alone with Goya and Saturn Devouring his Son on a lucky day and time when it wasn’t so busy. I went back a few times just to sit with the art of Goya and take it in. Not to mention bosch, el greco, velasquez and other artists works. So moving; so awe-inspiring; so mysterious. I can’t imagine there is a better place on earth to visit a great collection of Spanish and other important European works of art. There are also other great museums in Madrid, but the Prado is absoultely the best. I can’t wait to go back to it.

It’s not hyperbole, it’s true. I still have my picture postcard of a tiny El Greco painting bought in the gift shop and remember the big statues of Velazquez and Goya that sit outside the entrances of the museum. Go see the Black paintings and purchase a little guidebook from the vending machine – they come in a ton of languages. Good place to seek respite from the glaring Spanish sun. Free on Sundays?

It’s a huge museum, be sure to take time to watch all the paintings. Rocks.

El Prado is one of the big museums, you will never manage to see in one day. Think first about what you want to go to see and than try to locate the paintings in the rooms. The entrance is on the side of the museum. On Sunday it’s free but crowded. On Monday it is closed.

Home to some of my favorite artist’s works. namely el Greco.

I saw BOSCH’s Garden of Earthly Delights up close. Some crazy stuff going on in that painting, that’s for sure.

This is definitely one of the best museums on the planet. Stunning. I didn’t get to see it all the first day. I’ll definitely be going back. It’s also free on Sundays.

Going through the Prado museum brought me back to my classes of Spanish when I was in high school. Here were all the paintings and sculptures I had seen in my textbooks and over which I had sweated during exams to produce a worthwile commentary. Goya, Velazquez, El Greco… they all came to life in an impressive way.

I took several months in 1999 on a pilgrimage to visit great art in Europe and the Prado I mark as a highlight. Every wall held wonders. I spent so long with so many paintings; I couldn’t help it. Every new room carried a treasured dream come true moment for me from Bosch, to Weyden, to Goya. I kept going back for more.

Incredible museum. I could’ve spent days in there, and I wish I’d had the time to!