Royal Collections Gallery facts for kids
| Galería de las Colecciones Reales | |
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| Established | June 28, 2023 |
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| Location | Cuesta de la Vega, Madrid |
| Type | Art museum |
| Collection size | 155.000 artworks |
| Architect | Emilio Tuñón and Luis Moreno Mansilla |
| Owner | Patrimonio Nacional |
| Public transit access | Ópera    |
The Royal Collections Gallery (its Spanish name is Galería de las Colecciones Reales) is an exciting art museum located in Madrid, the capital city of Spain. It was first called the Royal Collections Museum.
This amazing museum is managed by Patrimonio Nacional, which takes care of Spain's royal heritage. You can find it in a brand new building. It sits right next to the beautiful Almudena Cathedral and the grand Royal Palace. This area is part of the lovely Campo del Moro park.
The main goal of the Royal Collections Gallery is to show off incredible art and historical items. These include paintings, sculptures, and tapestries. You'll also see fancy objects, old carriages, and many other treasures. All these items were collected by different kings of Spain throughout history.
Contents
History of the Royal Collections Gallery
The idea for this museum started a long time ago, in the 1930s.
Early Plans for a Royal Museum
In 1935, the first plans for a museum began. In 1936, the government of the Second Republic officially announced the creation of a Museum of Arms and Carriages. Manuel Azaña was the president at that time.
However, the Civil War began, and the project had to stop. The idea came up again in 1950 and 1980, but the museum was not built then.
New Vision for the Collections
In 1998, Patrimonio Nacional (National Heritage) brought the idea back to life. They wanted to build a new museum not just for carriages. It would also show art, jewelry, and tapestries. These treasures belonged to the royal families who ruled Spain for centuries. These families were the Habsburgs and the Bourbons.
Building the Gallery
In 2002, a design competition was held for the new building. The project by architects Emilio Tuñón and Luis Moreno Mansilla (from Mansilla + Tuñón Architects) won. Construction finally started in 2006.
Challenges During Construction
Building the museum took longer than expected. Workers found archaeological remains in the area. This meant they had to pause and study the old discoveries. Also, the Spanish government had to spend much more money than planned.
The outside of the building is made of a special granite stone called Gris Quintana. These stones are very large. They had to be hollowed out inside to fit over the concrete structure. Placing these huge pieces was a very difficult job. They even had to create a special tool just for this task. This shows how complex the construction was.
The building itself was finished in 2016. However, the museum could not open right away. The government was in a "caretaker status" after the 2016 general election. This meant they couldn't sign a contract for an extra 25 million euros. This money was needed to finish the inside of the building. So, the opening was delayed until 2020.
In October 2018, a group of companies won a public competition. They were chosen to decorate and manage the museum and its collections.
Grand Opening of the Royal Collections Gallery
In June 2022, important officials made an announcement. Félix Bolaños, the minister of the Presidency, and Ana de la Cueva, the chairwoman of Patrimonio Nacional, shared exciting news. They said the museum would open in the summer of 2023. They also announced its new name: Royal Collections Gallery.
Awards for the Building
The building of the Royal Collections Gallery has won two important awards. These awards recognize its excellent design and construction.
- The Spanish Architecture Award 2017.
- The FAD Awards for Architecture and Interior Design 2017.
See also
In Spanish: Galería de las Colecciones Reales para niños
- El Prado Museum
- Reina Sofía Museum
- Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum
