The Cerralbo Museum

The Palazzo is beautifully decorated and nicely preserved. While you visit the building, you’ll get the feeling that time has stopped and you’ll discover how a noble family from Madrid lived during the late nineteenth century.

Collection

The Museum’s private collection is considered to be one of Spain’s most prominent and complete collections. It is made up of over 50,000 objects and includes paintings, sculptures, antiques, carpets, coins, clocks, weapons and archaeological objects, all of which were owned by the Marquis of Cerralbo and his family.

A stroll through the mansion

Cerralbo is an exceptional museum. It offers an authentic vision of how the aristocracy in Madrid lived at the end of the nineteenth century. It is one of the few palazzos that maintains its furnishing intact, so visitors can get a real sense of the splendour of the 1800s.  

All visitors will be welcomed by a grandiose hallway and outstanding marble staircase that leads to the first floor.

First floor

The museum has a sumptuous decoration which reflected the social position of its owners. The first floor is one of the most remarkable levels of the palazzo. It is where the residents organized balls, parties and receptions.

This floor houses an impressive dining room for guests, an armoury, study, library and bathroom, which was one of the few lavatories with running water at that time in Madrid. One of the highlights is the ballroom, where numerous evening dances took place.

Mezzanine

This floor has direct access to the building’s garden. It is where the family usually spent most of their time. Unfortunately, this part of the mansion no longer holds its original decoration, so it’s a little less interesting. However, it does feature several exhibitions.