Cerralbo Museum

This museum, one of the most important in Madrid, is also one of its least well-known. Located in what used to be the stately home of the 17th Marquess of Cerralbo, visitors here are transported back in time to experience what life was like for an aristocratic family in late 19th-century Madrid.

The classical-style Palace, decorated with Neo-Baroque and Rococo elements, was designed with a dual purpose: to function as both a home and a museum. It became the headquarters of the works of art collected by the Marquess and Marchioness of Cerralbo and their children (the Marquesses of Villa-Huerta) during their many trips around Spain and Europe. Today the museum boasts over 50,000 objects, including paintings, sculptures, ceramics, glassware, tapestry, furniture, coins, medals, drawings, stamps, clocks, weapons, armour, archaeological pieces, etc.

By setting up the Cerralbo Museum, the Marquess of Cerralbo donated this property to the Spanish people so that his collections would live on “together and be studied by science and art lovers alike”.

Given that it's a palace-house, the different exhibited items don't have any informative signs next to them (except those texts that the Marquess had displayed himself). However, during the visit, the museum offers a notebook with general information as well as details about the most impressive pieces. This is available in Spanish, English, French, Italian, Russian, Portuguese, German, Chinese and Japanese.