10 Fascinating Facts About the Prado Museum

The Prado Museum in Madrid is one of the world’s most renowned art institutions, boasting an extraordinary collection of European masterpieces. Here are ten fascinating facts about this iconic museum that might surprise you:

1. It Was Originally a Natural History Museum
   The Prado Museum was initially conceived as a natural history museum by King Charles III in the late 18th century. However, his grandson, King Ferdinand VII, decided to use the building to house Spain’s royal art collection instead.

2. It Opened to the Public in 1819
   The museum officially opened on November 19, 1819, under the name "Royal Museum of Paintings and Sculptures," with just over 300 paintings from the Spanish Royal Collection.

3. It Houses Over 8,600 Paintings
   Although the museum displays around 1,500 works at any given time, its total collection includes more than 8,600 paintings, as well as thousands of sculptures, prints, and drawings.

4. Home to the Largest Collection of Velázquez’s Works
   The Prado owns the most extensive collection of paintings by Diego Velázquez, including his masterpiece Las Meninas, one of the most analyzed and enigmatic paintings in art history.

5. It Holds the Most Goya Paintings in the World
   Francisco de Goya, one of Spain’s most influential painters, is also well represented at the Prado. His works span from courtly portraits to his dark and disturbing Black Paintings, such as Saturn Devouring His Son.

6. A Bomb Almost Destroyed It in the Spanish Civil War
   During the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939), the museum was bombed. To protect the artworks, they were evacuated and sent to Switzerland for safekeeping until the war ended.

7. The Mona Lisa’s Twin is Here
   A lesser-known but remarkable version of Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa resides in the Prado. Unlike the original in the Louvre, this version was painted by one of Leonardo’s students and features a more detailed background.

8. It Was Once Called "The Museum of the Three P’s"
   The Prado has been humorously nicknamed "The Museum of the Three P’s" due to its impressive collections of Velázquez, Goya, and El Greco (Pinturas, Pintores, and Patrimonio in Spanish).

9. Some Works Were Once Considered Inappropriate
   For years, certain paintings were kept in a hidden section of the museum because they were considered too explicit. These included nudes such as The Naked Maja by Goya, which was even the subject of an Inquisition trial.

10. It Is Spain’s Most Visited Museum
    With over 3 million visitors annually, the Prado Museum is the most visited museum in Spain, drawing art lovers from around the world to admire its vast collection of European masterpieces.

From its royal origins to its impressive artistic treasures, the Prado Museum remains a must-visit destination for anyone passionate about art and history. Have you visited the Prado? What was your favorite masterpiece?

Want to uncover even more hidden secrets of the Prado Museum? Join one of my exclusive webinars, where we’ll dive into the rich history of the museum, uncover its stunning masterpieces, and discover the fascinating secrets it holds. You won’t believe what’s still waiting to be discovered!