A detailed history of Prado Museum | Timeline, major events & more

The Prado Museum is home to one of Madrid’s valuable art collections. You can visit the museum and admire the beautiful work of Goya, Velázquez, Titian, and other European artists.

Prado Museum detailed timeline

1785 - Juan de Villanueva designed the building in the signature Neoclassical style.

1819 - King Ferdinand VII opened the Royal Museum, renamed the National Museum of Paintings and Sculptures and later the Museo Nacional del Prado, to the public for the first time in November 1819. Its first catalogue was published in the same year and included 311 paintings.

1881 - The museum received countless donations after its opening, with Barón Emile d'Erlanger's donation of Goya's Black Paintings in 1881 particularly significant.

2001 - Construction began to expand the museum's capacity and allow more guests to enjoy the place.

2004 - Changes were made and approved to Prado Museum's legal and statutory framework by the Museo Nacional del Prado Act, increasing its capacity to self-finance.

Construction of the Prado Museum

Prado Museum is the heart of Madrid, literally and figuratively. It is a vital part of the city’s culture, housing invaluable artworks by legendary Spanish and European artists. The museum’s construction reflects its worth. Spanish architect Juan de Villanueva, a rising name at the time, constructed the building in neoclassical style, seeking inspiration from the grandeur of Greek and Roman temples.

As a result, Prado Museum’s original design featured a majestic facade adorned with Corinthian columns, elegant archways, and symmetrical layouts. With time, the building underwent expansions and renovations to accommodate an ever-growing collection of art. Today, the museum feels modern but has the same neoclassical exterior design that visitors adore. Inside is an unparalleled array of masterpieces from Velázquez, Goya, Rubens, and Titian.

More about Prado Museum

Prado Museum’s collection grew since its opening in the 18th century. Donations poured in, and the building was unable to accommodate the new works by the end of the 20th century.

An ambitious expansion plan was laid out, and construction began in 2001, while the museum’s efforts towards modernization gathered steam in 2004. Changes to its legal and statutory framework were approved to allow the museum to self-finance and gain autonomy. The museum's status was made effective by the Museo Nacional del Prado Act, in November 2003, and a subsequent amending Statute approved by Royal Decree in 2004.