Entertainment · Books & Arts · 1 hr ago
Madrid exhibition explores the city’s Baroque golden age
The Teatro Fernán Gómez in Madrid has opened an exhibition on the city’s Baroque era.
It covers the period from 1561, when Philip II made Madrid the kingdom’s capital, to 1734, when a fire destroyed the Royal Alcázar.
Madrid grew from a medieval town of about 7,000 people into a city of more than 90,000.
About 180 works show how art and architecture shaped the city, including paintings, tapestries, sculptures and drawings.
Some pieces have not been shown publicly before, and the works come from about 50 institutions in Spain and elsewhere in Europe.
The exhibition presents Madrid as a stage for political and social life, with the Royal Alcázar and Plaza Mayor among its key settings.
Visitors can see it until January 17, and guided tours are available.
The Teatro Fernán Gómez in Madrid has opened an exhibition on the city’s Baroque period.
“Teatro de grandeza. Arte, arquitectura y ciudad en el Madrid barroco” presents about 180 works, some of them previously unseen.
The exhibition traces Madrid’s transformation from 1561 to 1734, when a fire destroyed the Royal Alcázar.
Its works include pieces by Velázquez and Bernini, and come from about 50 institutions.
The exhibition runs until 17 January.
- Who
- The Teatro Fernán Gómez is hosting the exhibition, curated by Helena Pérez and Fernando Checa.
- What
- An exhibition exploring art, architecture and city life in Baroque Madrid. It presents about 180 works.
- When
- It opened on 20 October 2026 and runs until 17 January.
- Where
- Teatro Fernán Gómez, Madrid, Spain.
- Why
- To explore the city’s Baroque golden age and how Madrid was built, celebrated, imagined and represented.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Philip II designated Madrid as the kingdom’s capital.
The Royal Alcázar burned down, marking the end of the period highlighted by the exhibition.
The exhibition opened at the Teatro Fernán Gómez.
The exhibition is due to close.
- Exhibition title
- Teatro de grandeza. Arte, arquitectura y ciudad en el Madrid barroco
- Venue
- Teatro Fernán Gómez, Madrid
- Works
- About 180
- Lenders
- About 50 institutions
- Exhibition dates
- 20 October 2026 to 17 January
What people are saying
Until Christmas Eve 1734, the date the Royal Alcázar burned down, Madrid lived through a period of maximum splendour.
It spoke on equal terms with other great European capitals such as Rome.
A city full of life and celebrations. It became a great theatre where a great spectacle was performed.
This is a great opportunity to discover that splendid Baroque Madrid.