News
El Escorial reopens its Pintura y Arquitectura museums with free admission until December
After ten years closed, the two museums reopen with renovated spaces and 21 paintings joining the permanent collection for the first time.
The Museums of Painting and Architecture of the Royal Monastery of El Escorial have reopened to visitors as of 2 October. The renovation, with an investment of 3.1 million euros, allows visitors to explore both spaces free of charge until 31 December 2026, without needing to purchase the general admission ticket to the Monastery.
The Museum of Painting brings together around one hundred works from the Italian, Flemish, and Spanish schools, featuring artists such as Titian, Tintoretto y Veronés. Among them are 21 pieces from areas that were previously closed to the public. One of the main highlights is the “Calvary” by Rogier van der Weyden.
The tour also explains how the Colecciones Reales were formed over four centuries, starting with Felipe II, and the role paintings played in representing the monarchy. The Museum of Architecture completes the visit with the history of the construction of the Monastery, from its earliest designs.
To access for free, visitors must collect a ticket at the Centro de Recepción de Visitantes and enter through the north entrance, which is usually reserved for groups. From 1 January 2027, the visit will be included in the general admission to the Monastery, although a separate ticket for the museums will also be available.