Museo de América

Overview

The Museo de América is the only museum in Europe dedicated exclusively to the art, archaeology, and ethnography of the Americas, covering pre-Columbian civilizations through the colonial and modern eras.

Highlights

• Quimbaya Treasure: A dazzling collection of pre-Columbian gold objects from Colombia, gifted to Spain in 1893.
• Mayan Codices: Original Mayan bark-paper manuscripts, among the very few surviving examples in the world.
• Colonial Art: Religious paintings and sculptures from viceregal Mexico and Peru, showing the fusion of European and indigenous artistic traditions.

History

Founded in 1941, drawing on collections assembled since the 18th century during Spain's colonial era. The current building, designed by Luis Moya Blanco in a neo-Herreriano style, opened in 1994. It houses over 25,000 objects spanning 15,000 years of American history.

Visitor Tips

• Free Sundays: Free entry all day on Sundays.
• Combine: Located next to the Faro de Moncloa observation tower—visit both on the same trip.
• Duration: 1–1.5 hours.