National Museum of Decorative Arts

National Museum of Decorative Arts

The National Museum of Decorative Arts is situated in Madrid’s Art Triangle, south of the Alcalá Gate and west of Retiro Park. Founded in 1912, it is one of the oldest museums in Madrid. The museum narrates the evolution of the “minor arts” and houses collections including furniture, ceramics, jewelry, glassware, textiles, and more, with a particular emphasis on the 16th to 17th centuries — boasting up to 40,000 pieces.

A significant portion of the museum’s collection originates from the Arab world, especially Morocco and Turkey, attracting 22,000 visitors annually. As one of Madrid’s largest and most diverse museums, it features 62 exhibition rooms focused primarily on Spanish decorative arts, while also showcasing decorative art from other countries. The museum displays furniture dating from the 14th century to the present, including Gothic and Baroque pieces such as desks, chairs, and sofas. Its extensive glassware collection ranges from Greek-period works of the 4th century BC to those of the Roman Empire, including 11th to 12th-century ceramic fragments from Seville and 14th to 16th-century Persian ceramics.

National Museum of Decorative Arts

Reason to visit: Spain’s most renowned museum of decorative arts

Continent: Europe【Europe】

Country/Region: Spain[Spain]

Province/State: Autonomous Community of Madrid [Madrid Autonomous Community]

City: Madrid [Madrid]