The inauguration of the Museum National of Arte Reina Sofia in 1990 involved the creation of a museum of modern and contemporary art in Spain international, although there have been few vicissitudes suffered by the building to achieve this end.

The first foundation of the Hospital San Carlos, now houses the Museum, is due to King Philip II, who, in the sixteenth century, centered in this place all hospitals that were scattered in the Court. In the eighteenth century, Carlos III decided on a new foundation, to be insufficient for the city facilities. The current building was designed by architects José de Hermosilla and Francisco Sabatini, the latter much of the work.
In 1788, after the cessation of work with the death of Charles III, the building was occupied to assume the function for which it was built, the Hospital, but it was not built but only one third of the draft Sabatini.

Since then underwent several modifications and additions until, in 1965, the hospital is closing, with its functions to be defogged by Provincial Medical City. Survives to various rumors of demolition and, through a royal decree of 1977, is declared a Historic-Artistic, ensuring their survival.

In 1980 began the restoration of the building, made by Antonio Fernández Alba, in April 1986 opened the Centro de Arte Reina Sofía, using levels 0 and 1 of the old hospital as temporary exhibitions. In late 1988, José Luis Iñiguez de Onzoño and Antonio Vázquez de Castro would carry out the latest changes, among which should be especially emphasized the three towers of steel and glass elevators, designed in collaboration with British architect Ian Ritchie.

Timetable

Monday to Saturday from 10:00 to 21:00 hSunday: from 10:00 to 19:00 h (from 14:30 to 19:00 h can be visited Collection)Tuesday: closed (including holidays)The box office hours end 15 minutes before closing time of the museumVisitors are requested to vacate rooms 15 minutes before closing
The Museum, an autonomous body under the Ministry of Culture, was established by Royal Decree 535/88 of 27 May 1988, based in San Carlos Hospital in Madrid and the art collection that once were integrated at the Museum Spanish Contemporary Art. The September 10, 1992, Their Majesties King D. Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia, inaugurated the Permanent Collection of the National Museum Reina Sofia Art Centre, which until then had only received temporary exhibitions. From then would become veritable museum, with the tasks of guarding, enhance and showcase their art collection; promote awareness and public access to contemporary art in its various manifestations of international exhibitions, and implement activities training, teaching and counseling in relation to its contents, as stated in its Statute.

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