Madrid has no sea, but it does have galleons, navigation charts and maritime maps from the 18th century. In the middle of the Paseo del Prado is the Naval Museum of Madrid, which bears witness to the maritime history of the country. On September 2, it reopened its doors after more than a month closed for remodeling and maintenance.
The Naval Museum of Madrid combines the monumentality of Madrid’ s palaces with the unique collections of a good exhibition. It has more than 3,000 pieces on display to the public, but what stands out most is its monumental staircase: a symmetrical, luminous and elegant marble staircase that welcomes visitors and connects the different floors of the museum.
After closing its doors on July 28 for renovation and rehabilitationwork , the museum is now back to its usual opening hours. It can be visited from 10:00 to 19:00 from Tuesday to Sunday free of charge, although the reception desk encourages visitors to leave a voluntary contribution of 3 euros to contribute to the maintenance of the museum.
The first European map of the Americas
The museum has nine rooms where you can see collections of different ship models, giant 17th century globes and wall maps with routes of Spanish navigators. In addition, the first known map of the Americas made by a Europeanstands out : a drawing from the year 1500 made by Juan de la Cosa, a Spanish navigator and cartographer who participated in expeditions with Christopher Columbus.
Touring the Naval Museum of Madrid means looking back to discover all the astronomical and scientific instruments that have made it possible to improve navigation. Also on display are decorative instruments, weapons, flags, uniforms and decorations, pieces of ethnography and personal objects of illustrious sailors.
Most of these objects are contributions from the Royal House or institutions linked to the Spanish Navy. This is not surprising, since it was King Charles IV’sown Secretary of the Navy, Don Antonio Valdés y Fernández Bazán, who proposed the creation of this museum in 1792.
The architectural jewel of the museum
After passing through several locations, the current headquarters of the Naval Museum of Madrid is located on the second floor of the Headquarters of the Navy, in an emblematic building located on Paseo del Prado.
Its main attraction is an imposing monumental staircase, which we can consider one of the most beautiful in the city. It was built in 1928 with Carrara marble and designed by architects José de Espelius and Francisco Javier de Luque.
Beyond its functionality, it stands out for its elegance and symmetry. It is decorated with large lanterns that were used in the sterns of the old ships and a frieze with high reliefs of a classical scene that comes from the palace of Godoy.
As in the courtyards of the museum, the staircase is covered by a stained glass window made by the company Maumejean. The firm was established in Spain in the late nineteenth century and has made other projects in the Bank of Spain or the Palacio de Longoria. The window is formed by white and green squares in which appear the coats of arms of the ancient kingdoms of Spain and mythological figures such as Neptune, mermaids and seahorses.