Cerralbo Museum

It is one of Madrid's most important museums, yet also one of the least known. Located in what was the 17th-century palace of the Marquis of Cerralbo, a visit transports the visitor to the lifestyle of an aristocratic family at the end of the 19th century.

The palace, in a classicist style, decorated with neo-Baroque and Rococo elements, was conceived from the outset with a dual purpose: as a residence and as a museum, housing the works of art collected by the Marquises of Cerralbo and their children, the Marquises of Villa-Huerta, during their numerous travels throughout Spain and Europe.

Thus, the museum comprises more than 50,000 pieces, including paintings, sculptures, ceramics, glass, tapestries, furniture, coins, medals, drawings, prints, clocks, weapons, armor, archaeological objects, etc. The Marquis of Cerralbo donated this heritage to the Spanish nation, establishing the Cerralbo Museum, so that his collections would endure "always together and serve for the study of those passionate about science and art." Since, out of respect for the palace, the various objects on display lack any identifying information (except for the labels placed by the Marquis himself), the museum provides a booklet with information and highlights of the most important pieces during the visit. This booklet is available in Spanish, English, French, Italian, Russian, Portuguese, German, Chinese, Korean, and Japanese.