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Retiro Park and the Prado Museum

06/14/16 | art, Europe, Madrid, Museum, Spain, Travel

Galapagos Fountain in Retiro Park

Believe it or not, Thursday’s post about the Montjuïc Castle was my last post in my Barcelona series, at least for now! If you happened to miss any of them you can click here to catch up but today I bring you along to the Spanish capital and our first afternoon in Madrid!   The flight from Barcelona to Madrid was quite short which allowed my Mom and I to not only do things in the morning (a rainy visit to Park Güell) but also to explore once we arrived. After dropping our bags at the hotel we hit the top two tourist attractions in the city – we explored Retiro Park and then went to the Musueo Nacional del Prado.  First up, the gorgeous park: 

Buen Retiro Park GateBuen Retiro Park MapMom in Buen Retiro ParkBuen Retiro Park LawnBuen Retiro Park StatueParque de El Retiro Monumento Alfonso XIIBuen Retiro Park RowboatsBuen Retiro Park Small FountainBuen Retiro Park GardensBuen Retiro Park TreesRetiro Park SelfieBuen Retiro Park EnteranceMuseo Nacional Del Prado Sign
From the park we headed across the Calle de Alfonso XII to see some art.  The Prado Museum is incredible inside and out, even the architecture is incredible.   After clearing security we picked up two audio guides, their corresponding maps, and headed off to the galleries featuring Spanish panting with a variety of pieces from 1550 – 1810. We made sure we listened to the descriptions on all of the top works including a number of pieces by El Greco along with other famous Spaniards including still life paintings from Velazquez.   With our busy travel day and time in the park we did not have hours upon hours to spend so made sure to visit these galleries first as they were the ones the museum is most famous for.

From there we wandered taking in masterpieces by Raphael, Titian, Caravaggio, Murillo, Van Dyck, and Rembrandt along with many I could not name.  I loved not only looking at the works of art but studying nearly a dozen art students as they worked on replicating famous pieces.  The only part I really did not care for was Goya’s room of black paintings. I walked around the room and then plugged in the audioguide number of the alien eating the baby’s head, listened to 20 seconds, and then had to leave. I understand there is art but this was an entirely different level of disturbing – if you want to see what I am talking about, Google Images has you covered with just the search term, “Goya’s room of black paintings”. 

Museo Nacional Del Prado Side BuildingSan Jero?nimo el Real ChurchMuseo Nacional Del Prado EntranceMuseo Nacional Del Prado Coat CheckMuseo Nacional Del Prado Audioguide and MapMuseo Nacional Del Prado - Juan Sanchez Cotan. Still Life with Game, Vegetables and FruitMuseo Nacional Del Prado - El Greco Nobleman with his Hand on his ChestMuseo Nacional Del Prado El GrecoArt Student in Museo Nacional Del PradoMuseo Nacional Del Prado - The Holy Trinity by El GrecoWork in ProgressMuseo Nacional Del Prado - The Triumph of Bacchus by Diego Vela?zquezSan Jero?nimo el Real MadridVelazquez Statue Museo Nacional Del PradoOutside the Prado Museum

We had a great time in both the park and the Prado!

What is your favorite museum? 

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Comments

  1. Anna says

    June 15, 2016 at 5:56 pm

    Beautiful pictures and backgrounds! Outfit is very chic!
    Greetings from MissGrey- http://bit.ly/2388d4l

  2. TAMMY says

    June 15, 2016 at 10:16 am

    Looks like you had a great time in Spain enjoying all of the museums and tourist spots. This is another European country to visit in my future.

  3. ellesees.net says

    June 15, 2016 at 6:44 am

    I’m a museum junkie, so I know I’d love to visit. Goya always freaked me out, so I’d def skip that room. You look great there!

  4. Tina says

    June 15, 2016 at 4:33 am

    So jealous of your travels! Beautiful photos!

    Tina
    http://www.justatinabit.com

  5. Marta Sierra says

    June 15, 2016 at 3:56 am

    Such a beautiful park!!!

    Love,
    Marta
    http://www.martamademoiselle.com

  6. rachel says

    June 15, 2016 at 2:35 am

    Wow this place look so beautiful, so many lovely shot.
    xoxo, Rachel
    http://www.rachelvogttrends.com

  7. thehautecookie says

    June 14, 2016 at 7:50 pm

    what a cool place and i love your dress!! xO!
    http://www.thehautecookie.com

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  8. Maggie Krol says

    June 14, 2016 at 5:52 pm

    This location is stunning!
    http://www.maggiekrol.com/
    Xoxo, Maggie

  9. Emma says

    June 14, 2016 at 12:49 pm

    Looks like SUCH a gorgeous place lovely!!! I’m so obsessed with your dress, it’s stunning!!!!! Xx

    http://theemasphere.com/

Hi, I am Kelly and welcome to Sparkles and Shoes, a fashion, travel, and lifestyle blog.  I am a New York City girl at heart but I moved to London in the Spring of 2018!

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