Housing Picasso's iconic masterpiece Guernica, and worth visiting for that alone, the Museo Reina Sofia is home to the national collection of modern and contemporary art.

This collection traces the history of Spanish modern art from its origins in the Basque Country and Catalunya to the present day. As well as much by Picasso there's also outstanding work by Miró and Salvador Dalí.

Guernica

This epic work was painted in response to the bombing of the Basque town of Gernika by the German Condor Legion at the behest of Franco in the Spanish Civil War in 1937.

Commissioned by the Republican government, it was exhibited at the World's Fair in Paris in 1937 and eventually taken to the Museum of Modern Art in New York.

Picasso determined that it should not be taken to Spain until democracy was restored and it was not until 1981, six years after Franco's death, that it finally made its way to the Spanish capital.

Initially displayed behind bullet-proof glass in an annex of the Prado, Guernica is now given centre stage in the Reina Sofia accompanied by a fascinating collection of the preliminary sketches that help explain the symbols that make up the work.

More Cubist Masterpieces

More great cubist work by Juan Gris and Georges Braque is also on display, while there are some disquieting, dreamlike pieces from Dalí including the Enigma of Hitler and the Premonition of the Civil War alongside the more traditional portraits of his sister.

Other Highlights

Further highlights come in the form of the at times impenetrable, but alluring, surrealistic work of Joan Miró. Look out, too, for the paintings of fellow Catalan Antoni Tàpies and a smattering of work from British artists Henry Moore, Graham Sutherland and Francis Bacon, including his arresting Reclining Figure.

Calle Santa Isabel 52

Mon, Wed-Sat 10am-9pm, Sun 10am-2.30pm.

Closed Jan 1, Jan 6, May 1, May 15, Nov 9, Dec 24, Dec 25 & Dec 31.

Entry: €12; free for under-18s, over-65s, students under 25 & disabled (ID required).

Free entry for all: Mon, Wed-Sat 7-9pm, Sun 12.30-2.30pm, April 18, May 18, Oct 12, Dec 6.

Abono Paseo del Arte (entry to the Prado, Reina Sofía and the Thyssen): €32

+34 917 911 330