Museo de América
State museum in Madrid on the cultures of the Americas, with archaeology, ethnography and colonial art, including the Quimbaya Treasure.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Museo de América was created by decree on 19 April 1941, when the American archaeological, artistic and ethnographic holdings were separated from the collections of the Museo Arqueológico Nacional. Its oldest pieces come from the Royal Cabinet of Natural History, founded by Charles III in 1771. It opened provisionally on 13 July 1944 in the Museo Arqueológico Nacional, with eleven rooms.
The definitive building, in historicist style and arranged around a cloister, was designed by the architects Luis Moya Blanco and Luis Martínez-Feduchi, and the works were carried out between 1943 and 1954. The move began in 1962 and the official inauguration took place on 17 July 1965. Between 1981 and 1994 the museum remained closed for a thorough refurbishment, and it reopened on 12 October 1994.
The collection exceeds 25,000 pieces, of which some 2,500 are on display. It spans from the Palaeolithic to the present day and comes from the whole American continent, as well as the Philippines, Oceania and a small African collection. It includes more than 12,000 pre-Columbian works and some 8,000 ethnological pieces.
Following the refurbishment, the display is thematic and organised into five areas: knowledge of America, the reality of America, society, religion and communication.
Highlights
- Quimbaya Treasure, a set of pre-Columbian gold metalwork
- Tro-Cortesiano Codex (Codex Madrid), one of the few surviving Mayan codices
- Tudela Codex, the most important Aztec manuscript in the collection
- Madrid Stela, from Palenque
- Viceregal painting and casta paintings
- Inca collection and Nazca ceramics
Permanent exhibition
- Colección permanente – Thematic tour in five areas (knowledge of America, reality, society, religion and communication), with pre-Columbian, ethnographic and colonial art pieces.
- Founded
- 1941
- Operated by
- Ministerio de Cultura
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €3 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €1.50Groups of 8 or more people who request the visit at least 15 days in advance, and accredited cultural volunteers. |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 17 · Free admission for under-18s, with accreditation at the ticket office. |
| Seniors | freeFree admission for over-65s, with accreditation at the ticket office. |
| Visitors with disabilities | freecompanion free · Free admission for people with disabilities and one companion. |
| Students & apprentices | freeFree admission for students aged 18 to 25 and holders of the Carné Joven. |
| Groups (8+ people) | €1.50 per personReduced rate for groups of 8 or more people who request the visit 15 days in advance. |
| Families | freeFree admission for members of large families. |
| Annual pass for the Museo de América | €25 |
| Annual pass for State Museums | €36.06 |
| “Eight Museums of the City of Madrid” pass | €16Valid for 15 days, with unlimited visits to eight museums. |
| “Four Museums of the City of Madrid” pass | €8Valid for 10 days, for four of the eight museums. |
Free admission: Free admission every Sunday during opening hours, on Thursdays from 14:00, on 18 April, 12 October and 6 December.
With accreditation at the ticket office, unemployed people and pensioners, teaching staff, official guides and practising journalists also enter free, as do members of certain associations (for example, the Friends of the Museo de América or ICOM) and museum volunteers.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials
- Audio description: no information
Ramps to the building and a lift between floors, adapted toilets, wheelchairs and induction loops. Easy-to-read plans are available, and a free electric scooter for people with reduced mobility can be requested at the ticket office. For evacuation reasons, only 10 wheelchair or walker users are allowed per floor.
Kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 17 |
|---|---|
| Family ticket | free · Free admission for members of large families. |
Children under 4 must be accompanied by an adult, holding their hand. For schools there are workshop visits for early childhood education (Tuesday and Wednesday) and primary education (Thursday and Friday), with advance booking.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Moncloa
Metro: line 3 (Moncloa, Isaac Peral exit), line 6 (Moncloa, Plaza de la Moncloa exit) and line 7 (Islas Filipinas, Gaztambide exit). Buses: lines 1, 2, 16, 44, 46, 61, 82, 113, 132 and 133, as well as the circular line.
According to the museum’s website, the public car park in the area is free at weekends and on public holidays.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Museum shop
- Coat check
- Lockers
The shop is in the entrance area and sells publications, souvenirs and American crafts. There are lockers in two sizes. Eating and drinking are not permitted in the museum.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Audio guide | yes (ES, EN, FR) |
| School programs | yes |
| Photography | Photography and video recording are permitted inside, without flash, tripod or selfie stick. |
| Good to know | Groups of more than 8 people must book at least 15 days in advance. Group visits start Tuesday to Friday at 10:15, 10:45, 11:15 and 11:45, and on Thursdays at 16:15 and 16:45. A group with its own guide may have up to 25 people, including the guide. A free cultural mediation service and guided tours by volunteers are available for groups. |
