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

The first foundation of the Hospital San Carlos, now the seat of the Museum, is due to King Philip II, who in the sixteenth century, centered in this place all the hospitals that were scattered in the Court. In the eighteenth century, Charles III decided on a new foundation, to be insufficient facilities for the city. The current building is designed by the architects José de Hermosilla and Francisco Sabatini, the latter being due to 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, although it was not built but only one third of the proposed Sabatini.

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

In 1980 the restoration of the building, conducted by Antonio Fernández Alba, in April 1986 opened the Centro de Arte Reina Sofia, 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 conduct the last modifications, among which should be especially emphasized the three towers of steel and glass elevators, designed in collaboration with British architect Ian Ritchie.

The Museum, autonomous body under the Ministry of Culture, was created by Royal Decree 535/88 of May 27, 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, King and Queen D. Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia inaugurated the Permanent Collection of the National Museum Reina Sofia Art Center, which until then had received only temporary exhibitions.Since 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 implementing activities training, teaching and counseling in relation to its contents, as stated in its Statute.

Transportation to the museum

In Madrid, has a public service vehicle with driver 24 hours a day, safe, comfortable and when you want. Professional drivers, uniformed, bilingual.Modern fleet of Mercedes Benz. Make your reservation with 4 hours in advance and offer the best shuttle service in Madrid.

See Reina Sofia (Sabatini and Nouvel Buildings)

Monday to Saturday from 10:00 to 21:00 h

Sunday: 10:00 to 14:30 h

Tuesday: closed (including holidays)
The box office hours end 15 minutes before the museum closing time
Visitors are requested to vacate rooms 15 minutes before closing