Madrid Strolls #2: Golden Triangle of Art | Self-Guided Madrid Tour
¡Hola! Welcome to Madrid – the city of sunshine, art, and royal elegance. Here, every square,
every neighborhood, and every museum tells its own story. In Madrid, the past meets the present, and art isn’t confined to museums walls – it spills out into the streets, the architecture, the sounds, and the vibrant colors
of everyday life. Today, we’ll explore the city
from that very perspective. We’ll follow in the footsteps of artists, stroll through royal galleries, and uncover the details that shape
the unique spirit of Spain’s capital. We promise it will be beautiful, inspiring, and… ambitious – especially if you decide to
tackle it all in just one day. Treat this walk as a source of inspiration – whether you’re looking for
a ready-to-go plan for today, or a future itinerary. While each of these extraordinary museums can be explored in just an hour or two, we know from experience: every single one deserves a full day on its own. You’ll find the complete route
and full description on our website. And if you enjoy discovering cities this way, don’t forget to subscribe to our channel – so you won’t miss upcoming walks through Europe’s most stunning destinations. Now let’s begin a truly special journey: Strolling through Madrid: The Extraordinary Art Triangle We begin our journey right in the heart of the city – at Puerta del Sol. This is where the metro lines converge, where the city pulses with life, and where all distances in Spain are measured from the symbolic “kilometer zero.” We talked about this spot
during our first walk through Madrid, and today, we’re setting off from here once again – but this time,
in the opposite direction. We head down Calle de los Jerónimos, towards a world of art, reflection, and inspiration. Before we reach the first corner
of Madrid’s famed Art Triangle – the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum – let’s pause at one of the most important
political buildings in Spain. On the left side of the street, by the Plaza de las Cortes, stands the monumental Congress of Deputies
– Congreso de los Diputados – home to the lower house of Spain’s parliament, known as the Cortes Generales. Built in the mid-19th century, the building was designed from the outset to embody a modern, constitutional Spain. Its neoclassical façade,
with its columns and imposing pediment, is adorned with a relief by Ponciano Ponzano depicting Spain accepting the constitution. The building was meant
to evoke an ancient temple – a symbol of stability and the rule of law. Two bronze lions guard the entrance, cast from cannons captured
during the war in Africa in 1860. These are more than just decorative elements – they carry a strong national message. While the interior is only accessible by invitation or with a pre-booked visit, it’s worth stopping here for a moment to feel the atmosphere of Spanish democracy. And just across the street, partly hidden in the shade of the trees, stands one of Madrid’s many monuments to Miguel de Cervantes
– the author of Don Quixote and the father of modern Spanish literature. His symbolic presence here reminds us that, like the spirit of parliamentarism, Cervantes’ legacy still hovers
over contemporary Spain. Just a few steps further along is a striking white building with a turret – the headquarters of the insurance company Plus Ultra. It may not make it onto most tourist must-see lists, but its distinctive architecture
catches the eye of passersby. Designed in a modernist style
with art déco elements, its standout feature is a carillon – a clock mechanism with bells
that chimes daily at noon. And there’s meaning behind
the name Plus Ultra as well. It’s not a random choice: it’s a Latin motto adopted by
Emperor Charles V of the Habsburg dynasty, meaning “further beyond.” In the age of great geographical discoveries, it symbolized ambition, courage, and the drive to go beyond known boundaries – values that defined 16th-century imperial Spain. With that rich historical and cultural
backdrop behind us, it’s time to head toward the first great landmark
of Madrid’s Art Triangle – the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum. Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum
– housed in the elegant 18th-century Villahermosa Palace, right on the Paseo del Prado. From the outside, it may appear more modest than its neighboring buildings, but inside it holds one of the most fascinating and personal art collections in Europe. The story of this place is,
above all, a story of a family’s passion for painting. Over generations,
the Thyssen barons —a German-Swiss family of industrialists
and art collectors— built a remarkable collection spanning the entire history of Western painting, from medieval icons to 20th-century expressionism. For years, these masterpieces
were kept in private residences, including in Lugano, Switzerland. But in the 1990s,
Baron Hans Heinrich Thyssen-Bornemisza —encouraged by his Spanish wife, Carmen —made the pivotal decision to first loan, and eventually sell, the collection to the Spanish state. It was one of the most important
cultural decisions of that era, and a symbolic complement
to the neighboring Prado and Reina Sofia museums. Today, you can admire works by Van Eyck, Dürer, Holbein, Caravaggio, Rubens, Rembrandt, Van Gogh, Gauguin, Kandinsky, and Hopper —presented in a space that doesn’t overwhelm, but rather invites quiet contemplation and a relaxed encounter with art. Importantly, the paintings are displayed in a way that’s accessible to everyone— bright, well-lit rooms, minimal text, and a thoughtful sense of rhythm and light. It’s a museum for both seasoned art lovers and those
just beginning their journey into the world of painting. Only have an hour?
No problem. Just grab the museum’s excellent audioguide, which will lead you along the most compelling path and help you soak in the spirit
of this extraordinary journey through art history. As for us—
though we’d love to linger —we’re moving on. Before we reach the next highlight
of Madrid’s Art Triangle — the legendary Prado Museum, we’ll take a brief detour,
and for good reason. Ahead of us lies a walk along
the city’s most beautiful boulevard: the green, monumental Paseo del Prado. It’s more than just a pretty avenue — it’s a historic spine of the city,
dating back to the 18th century, when King Charles III
— often called “Madrid’s best mayor” — envisioned a grand boulevard
that would combine greenery, science, and culture. He called it the Salón del Prado, and his vision led to the creation of gardens, fountains, an observatory, hospitals,
and eventually, world-class museums. Today, Paseo del Prado is part
of a UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the “Landscape of Light,”
celebrating the union of art, nature, and science
in the very heart of the city. As we stroll under the trees, past marble benches and historic buildings, we feel Madrid’s rhythm — grand and elegant,
but never rushed. The walk culminates at Plaza de Cibeles, one of the most iconic
and symbolic locations in the city. At its center stands the stunning Fountain of Cybele, the goddess of nature,
fertility, and life, who in Greek mythology
rode a chariot pulled by lions. Today, the fountain is more than a baroque masterpiece — it’s also where Real Madrid fans
celebrate their victories and where the city’s history, politics,
and passions intersect. Surrounding the plaza are four monumental buildings: – The Bank of Spain,
with its grand neoclassical façade, houses lavish interiors filled
with historic detail. Its legendary vault is protected by
a unique security system that floods the basement
with water from a nearby canal in the event of a break-in. Atop the building sits a golden sphere — a striking feature symbolizing
wealth and protection, perfectly in tune with the bank’s mystique. – The Buenavista Palace, built in the late 18th century
for the 13th Duchess of Alba, has served various military
roles since 1847. Today, it’s the headquarters of the Spanish Army. – The Linares Palace, completed in 1900 as a residence
for the Marquises of Linares, is now home to Casa de América, a cultural center dedicated to
strengthening ties between Spain and Latin America. The most spectacular of all
is Palacio de Cibeles, also known as the Palace of Telecommunications — though locals often refer to it, with a smile,
as “the wedding cake”. Covering nearly 323,000 square feet, it was built on part of
the former gardens of Buen Retiro and officially opened in 1919
as Madrid’s main post office. Today, it serves as City Hall
and a cultural venue, complete with a rooftop terrace offering stunning views of the city. Inside, visitors are greeted
by stained-glass ceilings and elegant marble staircases. Interestingly, the building was declared a historic landmark even before it ceased its function as a post office — a testament to its architectural significance. At Plaza de Cibeles,
the city’s main arteries intersect – it’s the heart of Madrid… but today, our artistic heart beats for art, so we move on. From Plaza de Cibeles,
we veer gently to the right, returning to Paseo del Prado, and in just a moment,
on the left-hand side, we pass a building that
often escapes tourists’ attention – yet it certainly deserves it: the Museo Naval, or Naval Museum. Modest on the outside
but rich in content, the museum tells the story of Spain
as a maritime power – from the days of Columbus
to the 20th century. Inside, you’ll find maps,
ship models, navigational instruments, uniforms, and dozens of artifacts
linked to expeditions that changed the course of history. The museum’s greatest treasure
is the Juan de la Cosa map from the year 1500 – considered the oldest known
depiction of both Americas. It’s a place where you can truly
feel the spirit of explorers – people who sailed into the unknown
with risk, courage, and a vision of a greater world. If you have a moment,
it’s worth stepping in, even for half an hour – it’s a great break from paintings
and, at the same time, an essential piece of Spanish identity. As we continue walking, it’s impossible not to pause for a moment at the monument to the victims of May 2nd. It commemorates the tragic events
of May 2nd, 1808, when the people of Madrid
spontaneously took up arms against the French occupation. This day, known as the Madrid uprising, marked the beginning of Spain’s War of Independence against Napoleon’s army. The monument stands near the very place where dramatic clashes occurred between civilians and
well-armed French troops. It honors the victims
– men, women, and children – who were killed not only in street fighting but also in the mass executions carried out by French soldiers the next day, on May 3rd. These events inspired Francisco Goya to create his famous paintings: “The Second of May 1808”,
also known as “The Charge of the Mamelukes”, and “The Third of May 1808”, which depicts the execution of Spanish patriots. Both masterpieces can be admired
at Madrid’s Prado Museum, where they remain among
the most powerful testimonies of suffering and resistance
against tyranny. And that museum is
our next destination today. The Museo del Prado is one of the world’s
most important art museums – a source of pride for Spain and a true heart of classical European painting. The building we see today
was designed in the 18th century by Juan de Villanueva, originally intended as a Natural History Cabinet. It was part of a broader transformation
of this area of Madrid – from rural landscape into a grand, royal urban space. Despite the changes,
the old name remained: el prado – “the meadow.” In the 19th century,
thanks to King Ferdinand VII and his wife Maria Isabel of Braganza, the building was given new life
as the Royal Museum of Painting. Over time, it evolved into
a national treasure trove of art, home to masterpieces by Velázquez, Goya,
El Greco, Bosch, Titian, and many more. Much of the collection consists of
former royal commissions – paintings that once adorned palaces,
monasteries, and noble residences. These origins give the Prado
its unique character, where political history
and artistic genius intertwine. Before we step inside the museum
from the Goya entrance, let’s pause for a moment on the nearby hillside. Here stands San Jerónimo el Real, the last visible remnant of the now-vanished
Royal Monastery of Saint Jerome. For centuries, it was one of Madrid’s
most significant religious sites. The Catholic Monarchs stayed here
during visits to the city, and from 1528 until the 19th century, it was where Spanish kings took their oaths. The monastery was connected
to the Royal Quarters (Cuarto Real), expanded under Philip II. These formed the foundation for
the grand Buen Retiro Palace, built during the reign of his successor, Philip IV. Although the palace did not survive – partly destroyed during the Napoleonic invasion and later dismantled – its legacy endures. One of the few remaining structures
from the original palace complex is, in fact, the Museo del Prado itself. In a way, walking through its halls is like tracing the footsteps
of Spain’s royal past. And now,
it’s time to explore the Prado. You can begin your visit today
or come back whenever you like. The recommended route
takes about 2–3 hours and covers the museum’s most iconic works. But that’s just a glimpse – a brief look that can hardly satisfy true art lovers. After all, it’s no secret that Madrid’s Art Triangle is a place where one could easily
immerse themselves for days. Whether you’ve spent hours inside the Prado or simply admired its majestic façade from outside, our walk continues – though not necessarily today. Madrid is best savored slowly, and the next chapter of our journey awaits whenever you’re ready to take the next step. From the Prado Museum, we naturally step right into
the Royal Botanical Garden — a green oasis in the heart of Madrid. This historic garden, founded in the 18th century, delights visitors with a collection of
over 5,000 plant species from around the world. While it isn’t technically part
of Madrid’s Art Triangle, it’s the perfect place to take a peaceful break among greenery after an intense
encounter with art. We then continue along the Paseo del Prado, heading toward the final corner of the Triangle — the Reina Sofía Museum. But before we get there, one of the most original and modern buildings
in this part of the city is bound to catch your eye — CaixaForum Madrid. It’s hard to miss: it hovers above the ground on massive,
rust-colored supports, seemingly suspended in mid-air. And its side wall is something truly unexpected — a vertical garden covered
with thousands of plants that live, breathe, and change with the seasons. CaixaForum is a center for
contemporary art and culture, run by the foundation of one of Spain’s
largest banks — CaixaBank. The building itself is a former power station from the early 20th century. And here we are
— the Museo Reina Sofía, the third corner of Madrid’s Art Triangle. This is where our walk ends,
but at the same time, it’s where something entirely different begins: art that doesn’t tell stories of the past, but instead asks questions
about the present and the future. The museum is housed in
a former 18th-century hospital – the Hospital General de Madrid – designed by the renowned architect Francesco Sabatini. For over two centuries,
the building served as a healthcare facility before its transformation into a cultural space
began in the 1980s. The museum officially opened as
the Centro de Arte Reina Sofía in 1986, and in 1992, it was granted the status of a national museum. The renovation breathed new life
into the historic walls – sleek glass elevators were added to the façade, and the interiors were adapted
to showcase contemporary art, creating bright and spacious galleries. This contrast perfectly reflects
the spirit of the museum – Reina Sofía is a place of avant-garde,
rebellion, and experimentation. Its most iconic work is,
without a doubt, “Guernica” by Pablo Picasso – a massive black-and-white painting
that screams without words. Painted in response to the bombing
of the Basque town by Hitler’s air force, Guernica stands as a universal symbol
of resistance against war, violence,
and the suffering of innocents. But that’s not all
– the museum also features works by artists such as Joan Miró, Salvador Dalí, Juan Gris,
Tàpies, and many other creators who pushed the boundaries of form and thought. Reina Sofía doesn’t guide us chronologically – instead, it throws us into a whirlwind of questions, emotions, and attempts to understand the modern world. It’s a place that doesn’t offer ready-made answers, but it can move you to the core. And that brings our journey
through Madrid’s Art Triangle to an end – three worlds, three perspectives, one city. We’ve walked from old masters, through royal collections, to the art that is still being made – and that continues to move us. Thank you for joining us. If this walk inspired you,
leave a comment, give us a thumbs up, and subscribe to our channel so you don’t miss our next urban story. See you soon on another walk
through the Spanish capital. Hasta pronto.
#MadridWalkingTour #selfguidedtour #MadridMuseums
Join us for another inspiring self-guided Madrid walking tour through the heart of Madrid, Spain! This time we explore the Golden Triangle of Art – a unique route connecting three of Madrid’s most important museums (Thyssen-Bornemisza, Prado and Reina Sofía), creating a complete panorama of Spanish painting and artistic heritage.
We begin at the stunning Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum, then follow a narrated Madrid art walk along the iconic Paseo del Prado past the Plus Ultra carillon and the Naval Museum, towards the Fountain of Cybele and the majestic Prado Museum. To conclude, we immerse ourselves in modern art at the Reina Sofía Museum, Madrid’s very own MoMA.
This is more than just a museum tour – it’s a journey through history, art, and the architectural charm of Madrid.
If you’re passionate about the city or simply want to see it from a new perspective, this walk is made for you.
🎥 Subscribe to @EuropeanRibbon if you love discovering Europe at a slow pace – curious about history and always seeking inspiration.
ℹ️ Maps, opening hours, and more info on our website:
🎬 Chapter Guide:
0:00:00 – 0:02:29 Introduction
0:02:30 – 0:06:01 Congreso de los Diputados
0:06:02 – 0:07:33 Plus Ultra Monument
0:07:34 – 0:10:51 Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza
0:10:52 – 0:17:06 Paseo del Prado
0:17:07 – 0:20:24 Museo Naval
0:20:25 – 0:25:20 Museo del Prado
0:25:21 – 0:27:10 Caixa Forum
0:27:11 – 0:30:16 Museo Reina Sofía
0:30:17 – 0:31:09 Thank you!
——————————————————-
#Madrid #ArtWalk #GoldenTriangleOfArt #Prado #ReinaSofia #ThyssenBornemisza #PaseoDelPrado #CultureTrip #CityWalks #TravelSpain