On the 10th of September of 1992, their Majesties King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofía opened the Permanent Collection of the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía. What had before only been host to temporary exhibitions was now a true museum, with the task of looking after, increasing and exhibiting its artistic collections. In December of 2001 the museum began an expansion designed by French architect Jean Nouvel. This expansion was opened on the 26th of September of 2005.

The museum is located in Madrid, in the Atocha neighbourhood, next to the Atocha train and underground stations, at the southern end of the so-called Golden Triangle of Art (located along the Paseo del Prado and also comprising the Museo del Prado and the Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza).

The Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía (MNCARS) is an organization depending on the Ministry of Culture.

Its main aim is to encourage public access to the various manifestations of modern and contemporary art in order to increase knowledge and promote formation, and favour the social communication of the plastic arts. Highlights of the museum include excellent collections of Spain's two greatest 20th century masters, Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dalí. Certainly the most famous masterpiece in the museum is Picasso's great painting Guernica.

The Reina Sofía also has fine collections of the works of Juan Gris, Joan Miró, Julio González, Eduardo Chillida, Pablo Palazuelo, Antoni Tàpies, Pablo Gargallo, Lucio Muñoz, Luis Gordillo, Jorge Oteiza, José Luis Gutiérrez Solana and many other significant artists. It also hosts a free-access library specializing in art, with a collection of over 100,000 books, over 3,500 sound recordings and almost 1,000 videos.

Its main functions are:
To exhibit its cultural holdings in such a manner as to allow contemplation and study as well as guarantee their protection, conservation and restoration.
To carry out temporary exhibitions of modern and contemporary art.
To organize events and activities related to the works on display for the purposes of promotion, education and research.
To establish collaboration networks with other Museums and Institutions.


Without leaving the building, in the recent expansion carried out by French architect Jean Nouvel, we can visit the restaurant run by Spanish chef Sergi Arola. Mediterranean food with large doses of creativity at the service of one of the healthiest diets in the world. Refined atmosphere and decoration to end a great day at the museum.

See all the events of the Museo Reina Sofia: Click here

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Address: C/. Santa Isabel 52
City: MADRID
C.P: 28012
Area: CENTRO
Tlf: +34 914675062
Tickets: 3 euros. Students 1,50. Free entry: Saturday from 14.30 h
Schedule: Monday to Sunday: from 09 to 19 h
Web: http://museoreinasofia.mcu.es
Email: comunicaciones.mncars@cars.mcu.es
How to get there: click here

Texts: Elías Zapata