prolog

Part 1: The Prado Museum, a paradise for classical paintings

Introduction to the Prado Museum
- Prado is the 'Pinacotheque'.

- Prado is a ‘classical art museum.’

- Prado's taste is 'grand manner'.

- The Prado is the 'temple of Spanish art'.

- Prado is rich in ‘religious paintings’.
District characteristics
- Special exhibition

How to enjoy classical paintings
- Rely on your intellect
- Let go of your prejudices
- Enjoy the variations
Prado's masterpieces
- Rogier van der Weyden, The Descent from the Cross
- Hieronymus Bosch, The Garden of Earthly Delights / Titian, Danae Under the Golden Rain
- Tintoretto, The Washing of the Feet / Antonis Mor, Mary Tudor
- El Greco's "Annunciation" / Rubens' "The Judgment of Paris"
- Velazquez's "Las Meninas" / Murillo's "The Immaculate Conception of the Venerables"
- Francisco Goya, The Family of Charles IV
- Francisco Pradilla, "Queen, Juana la Loca"
Gourmet in Madrid: Ocenta Grados

Part 2 Thrill or Relaxation, Finding Your Own Art Gallery

Comprehensive Catalog of Western Art: Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum
- Christoph Amberger, Portrait of Matthaeus Schwarz
- Jean-Honoré Fragonard, "Seesaw"
- Berthe Morisot, "Psyche's Mirror"
- Childe Hassam, Fifth Avenue, Washington Square, New York
- John Atkins Grimshaw, "Quiet Glasgow" and "Moonlit Night"
- Erich Haeckel, The Brick Factory
The Cradle of Spanish Artists: The Royal Academy of Arts
- Pompeo Batoni, The Martyrdom of Saint Lucy
- Alonso Cano, Christ Picking Up His Clothes
- Antonio de Pereda, The Knight's Dream
- Julio Romero de Torres, "The Praying Woman"
- Portrait of Andrés Segovia by Jose Maria López Mezquita
- Eduardo Chicharro, The Temptation of Buddha
A Couple's Collection, Art for All Citizens: The Lázaro Galdiano Museum
- Leo Laporte-Bleage's "Luncheon in the Flower Garden" table decoration
- François Linke (presumed) “Cylinder Desk”
- Unknown artist (Flemish craftsman) 〈Caesar Plate〉
- Lucas Cranach the Great, The Adoration of the Infant Jesus by John the Baptist
Mediterranean Sunshine, Family Love: The Sorolla Museum
- A genius with a warm heart
- Sorolla's Sea, the Painter's Family
Gourmet in Madrid: Imanol, Perechico

Part 3: The Melodies of the Muses Embracing Madrid

The Master's Play Never Stops: National Concert
- Top-notch classical concerts throughout the year
- Classical concerts: what to see and how to see them
An invitation from the royal family: a royal concert
- Live performance at the royal palace
- A perfect 2-day, 1-night itinerary with a royal concert
The most luxurious experience: an evening at the opera: The Royal Opera House
- Madrid's most spectacular concert hall
- Bel canto as sweet as cake, opera as magnificent as a myth
Top 10 Jazz Clubs in Europe: Cafe Central
- Top 10 European Jazz Clubs in Madrid
- Some prejudices about jazz that need to be discarded
Gourmet in Madrid: Maison Meli

Part 4 Art Outside the Museum

The pinnacle of European palaces: Palacio Real
- The pinnacle of luxury admired by Napoleon
- A gala dinner that overwhelms the invitees
- An instrument that has become a legend beyond luxury.
- Room to meet the king and queen
Spain's Little Versailles: The Granja Palace
- A miniature version of the gardens of Versailles
- 21 oases in a vast garden
- The royal garden becomes a walking path for citizens.
- A feast of classical sculptures
- The hidden treasures left behind by the Bourbon family
The Baroque Ecstasy: The Cathedral of San Antonio de los Alemanes
- A culmination of Baroque art
- Sometimes strict, sometimes loving, the miracle of adulthood
- Spanish wood carvings of the common people
Gourmet in Madrid: Saint James

Part 5 A Walk with the Muse

The Parnassus of Europe: The Prado Promenade
- The vertices of the Golden Triangle
- Apollo, the Muses, and Parnassus
- Plaza de Cibeles, the symbol of Madrid
History and Architecture: A Walk from the Royal Palace to the Houses of Commons
- A painter the nation is proud of, a bakery loved by citizens
- Sol Square, where the passionate blood of Madrid citizens flows
- Open-air architectural museum
- Past the Cervantes statue, luxurious

Epilogue

Madrid, a pilgrimage site for art

British popular artist Sister Wendy once said, “If I were to travel anywhere, it would be Madrid.”
Picasso, Dali, Monet, Manet, Degas, Lautrec, Matisse.
From Impressionism to early modernism, many masters were deeply inspired by the Prado in Madrid.
If Santiago is a religious pilgrimage site, Madrid is a pilgrimage site for art.
From classical to contemporary art, from opera to jazz.
Whether it's art or music, classical or modern.
If you want to experience the best art in one city, regardless of era or genre, there are few cities better suited to it than Madrid.
Madrid, along with Paris, is undoubtedly the city most loved by the Muses.

Prado in the afternoon, opera at night
Travel is short, art is long

For those who dream of traveling to Europe, I recommend Madrid.
And in Madrid, above all else, let's enjoy 'art'.
We set out on a journey dreaming of escaping from our daily lives, but every journey has an end and we must eventually return to our daily lives.
But there's no need to be too upset.
Because the aftertaste of the art we encountered during our travels will remain in our minds.
When you feel tired again in your daily life, look at the paintings you saw in the Prado and listen to the arias you heard at the Teatro Real.
Your brain and heart will recreate the thrill, excitement and comfort you felt in Madrid.
The journey is short, the art is long.
Don't hesitate and head to Madrid to discover art that will comfort you even after your trip.

Madrid, a place for quality travel and relaxation

Some might suspect that the author is saying that Madrid is good because he lived there.
In other words, one could say that the greatness of Madrid is largely due to personal experience.
But living in a city doesn't necessarily make it better.
Rather, there are many cases where the opposite is true.
Others might ask if I'm saying this because I haven't seen other European cities.
This is also not the case.
I have traveled around Europe for various reasons, both while working in Madrid and before.
When I arrived in a new city, I never missed visiting an art gallery or palace.
Of all the cities I've visited, few have felt more amazing than Madrid.
The art that Madrid has is overwhelming in both quality and quantity.
Many people choose Europe as their most desired travel destination.
The reason why Europe is beautiful is, above all, because of ‘art.’
In that sense, Madrid, the city of art, is a highly recommended travel destination for those who dream of traveling to Europe or for those who have already traveled to Europe but have not fully enjoyed the charm of Madrid.