It's a museum that does not feel crowded, and there is plenty of space to admire the various artworks and sculptures in the museum.
The gallery was built to show off various artworks belonging to the Spanish royals over the years that had been essentially hiding away from the public in the massive Royal Palace.
Construction started in 1935, but then the Spanish Civil War happened in 1936, putting the project on hold until planning restarted in 1995 and construction began in 2006. The building has won several architectural awards, primarily because I was not on those awards committees, because I single-handedly would have persuaded my fellow judges to vote for a building that actually had some beauty in its design.
Just so you understand my rant,
the gallery is the modern building
on the lower right that looks like
two straight slide trays. I appreciate
that you are now nodding your
head in understanding of my opinion.
We didn't have advance tickets, but had no problems getting in. Apparently it is a well-kept secret in Madrid, not attracting that many visitors.
Again, the design of the inside of the museum is excellent. We went through the exhibits on the First Floor, that of art belonging to the Catholic Monarchs. My favorite (of course) is the works by El Greco, Caravaggio, and Titian. I prefer the wines of Ribera (del Duero) to the art of Ribera (del artist), but his stuff was of interest.
As I started getting Art Museum Fatigue (google it, it is an actual malady, usually affecting straight men who are accompanying their wives or girlfriends, depending on the status of the relationship) we did not visit any of the other floors.
The Second Floor exhibits include art by Goya and Maella (personally, I prefer the works of paella) along with musical instruments, furniture, and decorative arts. The last six words of the prior sentence are enough to make me rejoice Carol chose the first floor and not the second.
The Third Floor could either be interesting or stultifyingly boring. I will let the Madrid Tourist Information page describe it:
Floor -3 (which can also be accessed from Campo del Moro Park) could be defined as the 21st-century area. Here, visitors can enjoy an immersive cube, onto which 360ยบ images of architectural and natural spaces at various Royal Sites are screened. The temporary exhibition space can also be found on this floor.
Yup, my money is on stultifyingly boring just like yours is.
All seriousness aside, we did enjoy our trip to the First Floor of the Royal Collections Gallery. If you haven't been yet, next time in Madrid, check it out.
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