Museo Arqueologico Nacional (National Archaeological Museum), Madrid

Museo Arqueologico Nacional (National Archaeological Museum), Madrid (must see)

Established by Queen Isabel II in 1867, Madrid's impressive Archaeological Museum houses a vast collection of artifacts discovered during excavations throughout Spain, as well as pieces from ancient Egypt, Greece, and the Etruscan civilization.

Among the highlights are exhibitions on the ancient civilization of El Argar in Andalucía and a display of jewelry unearthed at the Roman settlement of Numantia, near Soria. The museum also showcases 7th-century AD gold votive crowns from Toledo province, Greek and Carthaginian coins, remarkable Roman mosaics including one from the 3rd century AD, and exquisite Islamic pottery. Keep an eye out for the Romanesque "Madonna and Child" from Sahagún, hailed as a Spanish art masterpiece.

In the museum gardens, visitors can descend a short flight of steps to encounter a faithful replica of the Cave of Altamira, famous for its Upper Paleolithic paintings gracing the walls and ceiling.

Why You Should Visit:
Following an extensive renovation, the museum's collections have been beautifully set out around a naturally illuminated central atrium. The labeling and video explanations, available in English and Spanish, provide valuable context for the exhibits. Grabbing a quick lunch in the downstairs cafeteria is convenient, and your ticket allows for re-entry at your leisure. The admission fee is reasonable, and the museum is usually quiet. Lockers are available for €1 each, ensuring you don't have to carry around heavy belongings.

Tip:
You can easily spend half a day here, but if you have limited time, get a leaflet showcasing the top 10 items and try to locate them. On Sunday mornings, admission is free (expect crowds), and children always enter for free.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Madrid. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Museo Arqueologico Nacional (National Archaeological Museum) on Map

Sight Name: Museo Arqueologico Nacional (National Archaeological Museum)
Sight Location: Madrid, Spain (See walking tours in Madrid)
Sight Type: Museum/Gallery
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in Madrid, Spain

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