Prado Museum

During my stay in Madrid I could not have of course missed the Prado museum. It is the best collection of Spanish art in the world. The building itself is very interesting. It dates back to early nineteen century.



Next to the entry you have surely noticed the church San Jeronimo el Real. It used to be the royal chapel for years, since as you rememeber the cathedral Almuneda was only completed in late twentieth century.

 

It has been originally built in the gothic style in the sixteen century. It was destroyed during Napoleon wars and then rebuilt in the same style.

Here is the entrance to the museum.

Unfortunately, as in most museums, it is not allowed to take pictures inside. So you will have to visit it yourself. What I recommend to you is that you take the audioguide ...

... and the plan.

They will guide you to my favourite pieces (you can also buy these nice postcards in the online shop). First the Mona Lisa. Yes, yes, Mona Lisa is in Louvre. This is just a copy but first it was painted more or less in the same time and second I think her smile is at least as nice of the smile of the other one.

On the other hand it is not as nice as the smile of Amalia de Llano y Dotres, Countess of Vilches. This is for sure one of the most beautiful portraits I have ever seen.

Finally, you cannot miss the Majas. Everybody knows that Goya was a skilled painter. But looking at those two together it is impossible not to have a special smile. He has painted a beautiful naked woman (all those under age close your eyes!) ....

... and when they told him it is unacceptable, well, he simply draw her again, dressed.

These two paintings hang on the same wall, next to each other. Like a riddle "find 10 differences" at the last page of a newspapaer. Amazing, simply amazing.

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On my way back home, I saw a strange thing at the Warsaw airport - a cage for humans! I wonder who has put them there?