The Royal Academy of Fine Arts of San Fernando, which is in the center of the rich in the sights of Madrid, is of the most historical and cultural value. After all, it is not only a beautiful building built by a great architect, but also Alma Mater for many famous artists. Perhaps, if King Philip V had not made the decision to create an academy one day, the world would not have counted ten or so recognized geniuses.
In the very center of Madrid on the street of Alcala stands a baroque palace designed by the architect Jose Benito Churriger as early as 17 century . A is in this beautiful building The Royal Academy of Fine Arts San Fernando . The Academy was established on the initiative of the King of Spain, Philip V, who patronized the members of the liberal professions . But the official royal decree establishing the academy was published already with his successor - Fernando VI . Monarch bought a building on Alcala Street, where he "moved" an educational institution that used to be located on the Mayor Square . The Academy of Arts offered its students several courses, one could learn sculpture, painting, architecture . With the passage of time, musical faculties have also appeared .
The Royal Academy is also famous for the fact that at various times it was headed by truly outstanding cultural figures. For example, among them the great Francisco Goya.
The walls of the palace on Alkala Street became Alma Mater for a whole galaxy of great masters, including Fernando Botero, Juan Luna, Antonio Lopez Garcia, Salvador Dali, Pablo Picasso and many others. Among other things, the Royal Academy of Fine Arts is not just an educational institution, it houses a collection worthy of the best museums in the world. In its collection about 1, 5 thousand paintings and about 500 sculptures created at different times, from the 16th century to our days.
Of course, according to the numerical index the museum of the Academy can hardly compare with the Prado Museum, however, the main thing , as is known, not in quantity, but in quality. And to assess the quality of the indicator, it is enough just to look at the names of authors whose immortal works adorn the palace. The collection began to form almost from the time of the creation of the Academy and includes the works of El Greco, Velasquez, Goya, Murillo, Coelho, Ribera, Zurbaran, Rubens
Address: Calle de Alcalá, 13, the nearest metro station Puerta del Sol.