Museo Reina Sofía

Overview

Spain's national museum of 20th-century art occupies a converted 18th-century hospital expanded by Jean Nouvel's striking glass-and-steel extension. It is home to one of the most powerful anti-war paintings ever created.

Highlights

• Guernica: Picasso's monumental 1937 canvas depicting the bombing of the Basque town during the Spanish Civil War. Measuring 3.49 × 7.76 metres, it is permanently displayed in its own room.
• Dalí Gallery: An extensive collection of Salvador Dalí's Surrealist works, including The Great Masturbator and Girl at the Window.
• Miró Collection: Joan Miró's vibrant, dreamlike canvases and sculptures spanning his entire career.

History

The museum opened in 1992 in the former Hospital General de Madrid, an 18th-century building commissioned by King Philip II. Guernica arrived from New York's MoMA in 1981, fulfilling Picasso's wish that it only return to Spain after democracy was restored.

Visitor Tips

• Free Entry: Free Monday and Wednesday–Saturday 19:00–21:00, and Sundays 12:30–14:30.
• Nouvel Building: Do not skip the extension—it houses excellent temporary exhibitions and a peaceful rooftop terrace.
• Duration: 2–2.5 hours.