If you’re the type who enjoys getting lost in the gardens of Aranjuez, exploring El Escorial, or discovering the fountains of La Granja de San Ildefonso, this exhibition is for you. The Royal Collections Gallery is opening “Brambila, Painter of the Royal Sites,” a journey back in time to these locations as they were in the 19th century, through the eyes of landscape painter Fernando Brambila (1763–1834). You can visit the exhibition for free (we’ll tell you how later), but admission is also included with the general ticket to the Galleries: get yours here.
8 June 2026 16:45 + more dates
From world explorer to painter in the service of the Crown
Of Italian origin, Fernando Brambila arrived in Spain in 1791 with a mission: to join Alessandro Malaspina’s scientific expedition, which would sail along the coasts of the entire Americas from Buenos Aires to Alaska, continuing on to the Philippines, New Zealand, and Australia until 1794. During the voyage, Brambila was responsible for illustrating landscapes, cities, and ports, providing the visual component to the journals compiled by Malaspina.
After returning from the expedition, the painter decided to settle in Madrid and put his talent at the service of the Crown. His rise was rapid: in 1799 he was appointed court painter, architect, and decorator, and from that moment on, his work encompassed the decoration of palaces, the design of monuments, and the creation of urban vistas, among other things.
A tour of the Royal Sites in the 19th century
The highlight of the exhibition is the commission that Fernando VII gave to Brambila in 1821: to portray the Royal Sites to establish an official image of these iconic places, from the Royal Palace of Madrid to the retreats of Aranjuez and El Escorial, and even corners that no longer exist today, such as the Royal Site of La Isabela in Guadalajara. The exhibition features a selection from the original series of 95 oil paintings, which was reproduced as lithographs in 1833 so that ordinary people could see the palaces.
In addition, the exhibition also features some of the striking prints of the ruins of Zaragoza following the Napoleonic siege, as well as examples from his time on the Malaspina expedition, evidence of the documentary value of the Italian painter’s work.
The best part? You can visit the exhibition completely free of charge if you present a ticket from any National Heritage Royal Site (see exceptions below). And here’s a tip to make the most of your visit: starting June 11, the Gallery will open another temporary exhibition titled Weaving Court Life, featuring one of the world’s most important textile collections.
Everything you need to know before you go
📅 When: May 29–October 12, 2026
📍 Where: Temporary Exhibition Hall at the Royal Collections Gallery (next to the Royal Palace and the Almudena)
☀️ What you’ll find: some thirty drawings, paintings, prints, and books that trace the work of Fernando Brambila, highlighting his views of the royal palaces, his scientific illustrations from around the world, and his chronicle of besieged Zaragoza.
🎟️ Price: admission is included in the general ticket to the Gallery. It’s completely free if you present a previous ticket from the permanent exhibition at any other Royal Site managed by National Heritage, except for Descalzas, Encarnación, Huelgas, Tordesillas, and Yuste
🧑🧑🧒 Perfect for history and art lovers, as well as locals and visitors looking for a relaxed cultural outing in Habsburg Madrid.
Royal Collections Gallery
8 June 2026 16:45 + more dates