Museo Lázaro Galdiano was the family home of Don José Lázaro Galdiano (1862–1947) a very wealthy businessman with a passion for the arts. A selection of his collection of over 13,000 works of art, along with sculpture, textiles and other curios from around the world, is on display here throughout the year. There are paintings by El Greco, Velázquez, John Constable and Goya alongside many others. Those who study Spanish will probably recognise Goya's La Maja Desnuda and La Maja Vestida from culture classes.
The variety of art on offer is fascinating and the museum catches and holds your attention from the beginning with the unusual portraits on display.
A rather unimpressed looking saint...
A very chilled baby Jesus...
Even the ceilings are gorgeously decorated and painted with beautiful scenes:
Kat and I were particularly enchanted by a darkened room full of glass cabinets containing sparkling silver and gold trinkets:
The museum also has rooms and rooms of textiles, armour, pottery, jewellery and all kinds of other wonders.
Museo Lázaro Galdiano is housed in an early 20th century mansion set in a small garden front and back on Calle Serrano. If you have a free morning or afternoon then it's definitely worth a visit though I would say that kids would probably lose interest fairly quickly as it's a pretty traditional gallery style experience.
At first glance in the guide book Museo Cerralbo might not seem like much. A modest looking mansion, the museum is the former home of the Marqués de Cerralbo and the building is supposedly preserved as it was during his lifetime. So far so uninteresting you might think but old Cerralbo was a pretty eccentric chap; poet, politician and archeologist his house is PACKED with fascinating things he's collected from around the world.
The building itself is absolutely stunning; Kat and I were swishing down corridors pretending to be the lady of the manor, and each room is more beautiful than the last.
It's so lovely to see touches such as the telephone and bells for servants left in place:
For once in a historic house even the bathroom was left untouched - mum you would have appreciated this!
The Marqués de Cerralbo certainly knew how to decorate a house, here he is with his wife:
Even the wallpaper was some of the most luxurious I've ever seen:
The ballroom was glorious and full of artwork and sculpture. Two lamps in the shape of American Indians were an interesting addition and a nod to empire and Spain's invasion of South America.
There's something for everyone here with kids enjoying the armoury and sword collections most:
The museum has a lovely courtyard and garden; perfect for strolling through on a summer's evening.
As you may have gleaned from this post Museo Cerralbo is definitely my favourite out of the two museums. If you're near Calle de Ventura Rodríguez at any point then make the effort to pay this place a visit; lovers of history and art won't be disappointed!
Which is your favourite museum in Madrid? Any suggestions would be very welcome for my future trips to the city :)
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