Museum of the Americas

What to expect

The museum was founded in 1941 by gathering American holdings from other institutions, mainly the National Archaeological Museum and the Prado. Much of the earlier royal collection was lost in a fire at the Alcázar in 1734, so the oldest surviving pieces come from the Royal Cabinet of Natural History of 1771. It has been in its own building in the university district since 1965.

The permanent exhibition follows five themes: how the Americas were perceived, the reality of the continent, society, religion and communication. Expect Maya and Aztec material, pre-Columbian gold, ceramics from Andean cultures, colonial paintings and everyday objects. It is an indoor visit, quieter than the central museums, and one gallery recalls the old Cabinet of Natural History.

Don't miss

• The Tudela Codex
• A Maya stele
• Moche ceramics
• Quimbaya gold figures
• Colonial casta paintings

Tips for your visit

• Allow about one to two hours.
• It sits near the Faro de Moncloa, so combine it with the lookout tower or a walk in the nearby parks.
• The five themes help you decide what to prioritise if you are short on time.