Museo del Prado

The Prado is one of the three most important art museums in the world — on par with the Louvre and the Hermitage. What makes it unique: The collection is not a random accumulation but the result of 500 years of royal collecting passion. Each work was consciously selected by monarchs who were passionate art connoisseurs. The result is an unparalleled density of masterpieces.

The absolute highlights

• Diego Velázquez: Las Meninas (1656) — Spain's most famous painting and one of the most enigmatic in art history. Velázquez paints himself painting the Infanta Margarita, while the royal couple appears in the mirror in the background. Who is looking at whom? A picture you can study for hours.
• Francisco de Goya: The Third of May 1808 — A scream against violence that has retained its power for over 200 years. And right next to it: the Pinturas Negras (Black Paintings) — Goya's disturbing late works, including "Saturn Devouring His Son". Nightmarish and brilliant.
• Hieronymus Bosch: The Garden of Earthly Delights (1490–1510) — The triptych masterpiece depicts paradise, earthly delights, and hell in surreal detail. Spain's kings were obsessed with Bosch — the Prado owns the largest collection of his works worldwide.
• Other heavyweights: El Greco (The Trinity, The Nobleman with His Hand on His Chest), Titian (Charles V on Horseback), Rubens (The Three Graces), Raphael, Dürer, Caravaggio.

The Prado is huge — over 8,000 paintings, of which about 1,300 are on display. Plan: At least 3 hours, better half a day. Focus on Velázquez (Room 12), Goya (Rooms 64–67 + Black Paintings Room 67), and Bosch (Room 56A).