Visit Thyssen Museum in Madrid: tickets, prices, schedules

Are you staying in Madrid? Retracate the history of painting, from the Middle Ages to the present day, starting to discover the impressive Thyssen Museum collection in Madrid!

After visiting the Prado Museum and the Reina Sofia Museum, where to make the art of Madrid? Ideally located on the Promenade de l’Art ( Paseo del Arte ), the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum allows you to discover new works. However, don't be mistaken! Its impressive collection, including more than a thousand pieces, is unique. The Thyssen Museum offers a real journey through the different eras of European painting. Very well thought out, its arrangement promises you a smooth and pleasant visit. A must during your stay in the Spanish capital! History of the museum, works, schedules, prices... To visit the Thyssen Museum in Madrid, here is the information to know.

History of Thyssen Museum in Madrid

The Thyssen Museum, a family story

The history of the museum is closely linked to that of the German family Thyssen-Bornemisza . In fact, the latter constituted one of the most important art collections of the twentieth century. Everything begins with Auguste Thyssen (1842-1926), who is the one who will develop the family empire thanks to the steelwork. With great interest in the arts, he will order Auguste Rodin a series of seven marble sculptures. They will mark the beginning of the collection! Unfortunately, the First World War was announced and the project was delayed...

It was only in 1956 that his son, Baron Hans Heinrich Thyssen-Bornemisza, took the collection in hand. It began in the 1920s with works related to impressionism, American painting of the nineteenth century and the avant-garde of the twentieth century. Until his death in 1947, he gathered nearly 530 paintings! They are then bequeathed to all his heirs. However, one of his sons redeems and collects the entire collection. He then completes it with some paintings of the 14th and 15th centuries, Flemish primitives and works of the German Renaissance. As a result, Villa Favorita in Switzerland, which then houses the collection, becomes too small to accommodate the many works of art. Heinrich (the son) decides to transfer them to the palace of Villahermosa, located Paseo del Arte Madrid! This splendid neoclassical building of the late 17th century then becomes the cradle of the collection.

Opening of the Thyssen Museum in Madrid

The Thyssen Museum opens its doors to the public 1992 in Madrid and 1993 in Barcelona . But how did the Thyssen-Bornemisza family sell its impressive collection to Spain? In the 1980s, the first approach was made... under the coat! Indeed, the Spanish government is looking to buy a painting of Goya illegally exported, La marquea de Santa Cruz . Looking for sponsors, he comes into contact with the family. But negotiations take a radically different turn. Finally, it is no longer a question of finding funds to buy the Goya. The government intends to host the collection!

The Thyssen-Bornemisza family collection is very coveted. However, Spain accepts all the conditions! The agreement is therefore signed and the museum opens its doors. Only one year later, in June 1993, the Spanish government bought a majority of the works of the collection for $350 million . The real value of the collection? It would be $2000 million! The new one turns around the world and occupies even the first page of New York Times . Rumors run... Yet the reason for this gap is simple: the baron wanted to ensure the durability of the collection in its entirety. In 2004, it was further expanded by Carmen, the widow of Heinrich. Finally, in 2017, the museum became a national museum, highlighting the fact that the collection became a public good.

What to see and what to do at the Thyssen Museum in Madrid?

To visit the Thyssen Museum in Madrid is to contemplate a real panorama of the history of European painting. It's not less than seven centuries you're going through! Through the rooms, you will find real masterpieces. The works of Van Gogh, Rembrandt, Gauguin, Klee, Hopper , Duccio, Monet, Rubens, Caravaggio and many more! The museum includes 21 rooms, each for a period, a school or a theme. In short, it is an ideal visit for those looking for electism. Do you want to have an overview of the works you will find by visiting the Thyssen Museum? Here are some collections that come out of the lot!

The sculptures of Auguste Rodin

In the museum hall, you will find the pioneers of the museum collection: sculptures Rodin !

The works of the Middle Ages at the Modern School

In the first rooms you will find Italian and Dutch primitives, as well as other medieval paintings. To visit the Thyssen Museum is to see the story scroll under his eyes. Thus, you will then cross the works of Cranach, Bosch, Titien, Rubens, Caravaggio, Fragonard, etc.

Impressionists

If there was only one reason to visit the Thyssen Museum? It is his collection of impressionists and post-impressionists. This is the largest in Spain and one of the richest in Europe! From Monet to Renoir, to Pissaro, you will discover masterpieces of this transgressive movement.

The avant garde of the twentieth century

Here you travel to the first half of the twentieth century. The Thyssen Museum houses an important collection of the avant-garde current: Munch, Delaunay, Hopper, and many others.

Modern art and contemporary art

On the ground floor you will find a collection of modern and contemporary art. Real masterpieces await you: Picasso, Chagall, Braque, Magritte, Miro... They perfectly represent fauvism, cubism or surrealism.

Temporary exhibitions

Visit the Thyssen Museum also gives you the opportunity to admire temporary exhibitions. They deal with various themes: Spanish fashion, photography, antique jewelry, etc. It can also be retrospectives.

How to go to Thyssen Museum in Madrid?

Would you like to visit the Thyssen Museum? To get there, several solutions are available to you:

• Metro : Stop at the Sol station, served by lines 1, 2 and 3;
• Bus Lines 1, 2, 5, 9, 10, 14, 15, 20, 27, 34, 37, 41, 51, 52, 53, 74, 146 and 150 serve the museum;
• Vélo : the nearest BiciMad station is n°29 on the calle del Marqués de Cubas ;
• Car : you can park at Las Cortes parking lot;
• Train The nearest stations are Estación de Atocha and Estación de Recoletos.

Timing & Thyssen Museum Rates

HORARI

• Monday from 12:00 to 4:00 p.m. (Free admission to the Museum)
• Tuesday to Sunday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Note : access times to temporary exhibitions may vary.

RATES

Here is the ticket price, including the tours permanent exhibition and temporary exhibitions :

• General Tariff : 12 €
• Reduced price (international students, + 65 years old, many families) : 8 €
• Free (- 18, persons with disabilities 33 per cent, persons with disabilities)