The Prado of Madrid is one of the most famous art museums in the world. It first opened its doors in 1819 and has been enlarged several times since. Many of its most beautiful works were at one time part of the Royal Collection - pieces collected by Spanish kings and queens during the 17th and 18th centuries. You can admire masterpieces by Goya, El Greco, VΘlasquez, Titian, and Rubens. It is impossible to see everything in one visit: there are more than 6,000 paintings and 300 sculptures on exhibit. Madrid, with a population of 5 million, has been the capital of Spain since 1561. The Prado attracts many tourists, as does Madrid's classical and baroque churches and 18th-century royal palace.
