Museo del Ejército

About the museum

The Museo del Ejército is the result of the merger of several military museums created in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Its most remote antecedent is the Real Museo Militar, founded in Madrid in 1803 at the instigation of Godoy, which first had its premises in the Monteleón palace. In 1827 it was divided into the Artillery and Engineers museums, to which the Intendencia, Cavalry and Infantry museums were later added. In 1932 the Museo Histórico Militar was created and, after the Civil War, the institution was organised in the Palacio del Buen Retiro in Madrid.

Since 19 July 2010 the museum has been housed in the Alcázar of Toledo, which required a complete rethinking of its exhibition concept. The Alcázar, standing on one of the city's hills, has survived three fires and a long siege. The museum occupies two buildings, the Alcázar and a new building that gives access to all the services, and from the outside they form a single complex.

The permanent exhibition is in the Alcázar and is structured into thirteen thematic rooms and eight historical discourse rooms, with a chronological route through Spain's military history. The thematic rooms show specific collections, such as weapons, artillery, banners, uniforms, sculpture and painting, and the historical rooms follow the evolution of Spanish military history in chronological order. In 2024 the museum received 432,677 visitors.

Highlights

• Thirteen thematic rooms and eight historical discourse rooms in the Alcázar of Toledo
• Collections of weapons, artillery, banners, uniforms, sculpture and painting
• Touch room for people with visual impairments
• Archaeological remains and gardens with free access
• Museum café-restaurant and shop

Permanent exhibitions

• Exposición permanente: recorrido temático – Thirteen thematic rooms in the Alcázar with collections of weapons, uniforms, banners, sculpture, painting and the history of the museum itself.
• Exposición permanente: recorrido histórico – Eight historical discourse rooms presenting a chronological route through Spain's military history.
• Sala de ver y tocar – Touch area with pieces from several collections so that people with visual impairments can get to know them by touch.

Founded

2010

Operated by

Ministerio de Defensa (Ejército de Tierra)

Visitors per year

approx. 432,677 (2024)

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Every Wednesday of the year; 29 March, 18 April, 18 May, 12 October and 6 December; and commemorative events such as Armed Forces Day.

The temporary exhibitions, the room “Los ejércitos antes del Ejército”, the gardens, the archaeological remains, the café-restaurant and the shop can be visited free on any day. Free admission to the permanent exhibition, with accreditation, also applies to pensioners and unemployed people, teaching staff, official tourist guides, staff of the Ministry of Defence and the Armed Forces, and members of ICOM and other museum associations.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description

The Sala de ver y tocar, on level 3-B of the new building, has touch stations with pieces from several collections (weapons, uniforms, banners, sculptures, models) for people with visual impairments, with supporting audio descriptions. Access is requested at the visitor service counter. Guide dogs are admitted.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide

For families with children aged 5 to 12 there is a treasure-hunt game and the route “En clave animal”, which can be requested at the ticket office or downloaded from the website. The museum runs family activities such as “Museo en familia”, storytelling and puppet shows, and offers a virtual visit for children.

Getting there & parking

The main entrance to the museum is at calle de la Paz, s/n.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant
• Museum shop
• Coat check

Café-restaurant in the Alcázar (phones 925 238 839 and 685 903 571), shop with military-themed objects and a free left-luggage service, all with the museum's opening hours. Large bags and objects larger than 40 x 40 cm may not be taken into the rooms.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

The museum offers its spaces for hire; the conditions are set out in the “Cesión de espacios” section of its website.

Plan your visit