Inside The National Archaeological Museum In Madrid

The National Archaeological Museum (MAN), which houses one of the world's most important antique collections, reopened in 2014 after a comprehensive remodelling process that lasted for six years. Comprising implements and works of art from Mediterranean cultures, its exhibits span from prehistory to the 19th century.

Located in the heart of the Salamanca District, it covers a series of chapters in the history of universal art that are not represented in the large museums of the nearby Art Walk, such as Greek ceramics, Visigoth votive crowns and Spanish Islamic ivories. The rich collection of this institution founded in 1867 is now on display thanks to a new museological plan which gives the exhibits as much as artistic value as it does archaeological, and includes informative panels, mockups and replicas that visitors can actually touch.

The Lady of Elche

The Lady of Elche continues to be one of the museum’s highlights. Compared to other Iberian works, it it striking for the proportions, harmony and balance of the face which is heavily influenced by Greek art. Her beads and tunic, on the other hand, are clearly local and are a perfect example of Iberian attire. A recent theory that has emerged among some historians is that the artwork was originally a sculpture of a seated woman which was then turned into a bust. Like many other sculptures from the era, the Lady of Eleche has a cavity in the back which is believed to have been used to store relics. Some theories suggest that she was a goddess while others argue that she represents a queen or a corpse.

Extraordinary works

Other invaluable pieces on display are the Treasure of Guarrazar, an incredible example of Visigoth goldsmithing, the ivory Pot from Zamora, and a collection of Greek vases, considered by specialists to be one of the greatest in the world.

Replica of the Altamira Cave


In October 1964, the replica of the Altamira Cave was inaugurated in the gardens of MAN, in an underground room designed by the architects Fernando Aguirre and Rafael Mérida. The cave paintings found in the polychrome room of the famous Cantabrian cave, located in the municipality of Santillana del Mar and declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1985 for its exceptional universal value, are reproduced exactly.

After a period of time closed to the public, it can be visited again from mid-September 2023 in the mornings from 9.30 to 14.30 h.

Address
Callede Serrano, 1328001
Tourist area:
Paseo del Arte
Telephone:
(+34) 91 577 79 12
Fax:
--
Web:
http://www.man.es/man/home.html
Email:
[email protected]
Metro:
Colón (L4)
Retiro (L2)
Serrano (L4)
Bus:
001, 1, 2, 5, 9, 10, 14, 15, 19, 20, 27, 34, 37, 45, 51, 52, 53, 74, 146, 150, 203, C03, E1, N1, N2, N3, N4, N5, N6, N7, N9, N10, N11, N12, N15, N16, N17, N18, N19, N20, N21, N22, N23, N24, N25, N26, N27
Local train (Cercanías):
Madrid-Recoletos
Price:
General admission: €3

Reduced ticket: €1.50 (groups of more than eight people upon request in advance of ten days and cultural volunteering with accreditation)

Free admission: under 18 years and over 65 years; Saturdays from 2:00 p.m. and Sunday mornings; April 18, Monuments and Sites Day; May 18, International Museum Day; October 12, National Holiday of Spain; and December 6, Day of the Spanish Constitution.

Consult more cases on the official website or at the box office. Consult other discounts at the box office or on the official website.

Opening Times:
Tues-Sat 9:30am - 8:00pm.

Sun & public holidays: 9:30am - 3pm.

Closed: Monday; 1st and 6th January; 1st May; 24th, 25th, 31st December.

Library: Monday to Friday, from 9:30 - 2:30 h (except public holidays)

Guided tours in English (30 sept - 30 dec 2023): Saturdays, at 10:30 and 12:30 h

Type
Cultural venues
Museums

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?...

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@learnwithdrya...

Subscribe to my YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/@LearnwithDrYasir...

#museum #thingstodoinspain #madrid