Cerralbo Museum In Madrid: Opening Hours, Price And Location

Madrid is undoubtedly one of the most visited cities in Europe. Known for its intense cultural life, today we want to take you to one of the most charming museums in the Spanish capital: the Cerralbo Museum. A museum located in a beautiful nineteenth-century mansion in the center of the city.

What is the Cerralbo Museum in Madrid

This is one of the most important museums in Madrid, although it is also true that it is little known. Inside there is a fabulous private collection of art, archaeological remains and antiquities that Enrique Aguilera de Gamboa, Marquis of Cerralbo, acquired throughout his life.

Inside there are about 50,000 works including paintings, sculptures and other objects such as furniture, tapestries, clocks, weapons and much more. Works that the Marquis of Cerralbo donated to be part of the city’s heritage and that everyone who wanted could enjoy them. A gift for Madrid and for you, if you come to know it.

The collections

The Marquis of Cerralbo was a great collector, hence what can be seen in this museum is very varied. The collection of Spanish painting stands out, with works by artists of the stature of Zurbarán, Alonso Cano and El Greco. There are also drawings by Francisco de Goya or Giovanni Battista Tiepolo, among others.

The Cerralbo Museum also has an interesting collection of sculptures from different periods, weapons, porcelain, medals, stamps and even watches.

The palace

But it should also be noted that such a collection of works of art and objects is in a fabulous building that can take you to another era. A mansion that has preserved its original decoration, to be able to admire the luxury and way of life of its owners.

The visitor is greeted by a beautiful reception and a wonderful staircase. Sculpted in marble, it has an iron railing and double ramp. The shields of the families of the marquis and his beloved wife are the main emblem of this.

On the main floor you can admire sumptuous rooms such as the ballroom, the library, the gala dining room or the office. Rooms that maintain the appearance they had more than a century ago.

The mezzanine floor was the place where the family made their lives, from this floor you can go out to the delightful garden of the palace. And something that will surely surprise you is the bedroom of the Marquis, very different from everything you have seen so far because if it stands out for something it is for its simplicity.

In short, the building itself is as interesting as the collections it exhibits, since it allows us to know what life was like for a noble family at the end of the 19th century.

The Cerralbo Museum in Madrid, everything you need to know

Surely all the information we have just given you has aroused your curiosity and you are already thinking of visiting it. To do this, we give you all the practical information you need.

Location

The museum, as we have anticipated you previously, is inside what was the palace of the Marquis of Cerralbo, which was also transferred as heritage to the city. Its exact address is Calle Ventura Rodríguez, 17.

To get there you can do it by metro to Plaza de España, taking the L2, L3 or L10. You can also get off at the Ventura Rodríguez station, although you can only get there using line 3. There are also several buses such as 1, 2, 3, 25, 39, 44, 46, 74, 75, 133, 138, 147 , 148, C1, C2 that will leave you practically at the door.

Price and timetables

The ticket has a reasonable price: three euros, half for children under 14 and retired people.  On Sundays, admission is free, as well as on Saturdays after two in the afternoon and on Thursdays from five to eight in the afternoon.

The hours are from Tuesday to Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Thursdays from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and Sundays and holidays from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. As you have seen, on Mondays it is closed for maintenance and cleaning.

Have you already noted this new inspiration to take a trip to Madrid? We are sure that you will not regret it, because the Cerralbo Museum is an absolutely fascinating space.

Cover photo: Tim Adams / Flickr.com