Goya’s Madrid – Secrets Revealed

This is our very adventurous tour of one of Spain’s most famous painters, Francisco de Goya.

We start with a visit to the Royal Academy of Fine Arts of San Fernando, close to Puerta del Sol where Goya received his degree in 1780. This fine 18th century building houses Goya’s original etching plates from his series Caprichos; his condemnation of the universal folly and foolishness in Spanish society. It also includes his Disasters of War depicting the horrors inflicted on the nation during Napoleon’s invasion in 1808.

On the second floor there are paintings from his earlier work; portraits of his liberal minded friends and a daring one of the Queen’s favourite and lover, the odious Manuel Godoy, Prince of the Peace and Supreme Commander of the Spanish Army.

After refreshments at the fashionable Café de Oriente facing the Royal palace, we take a taxi down to the river and the Chapel of San Antonio de la Florida. Goya painted the interior dome in 1798, which depicts a a murdered man being brought back from the dead by Saint Antonio to tell him who his murderer was amongst the crowd of onlookers. Don’t worry, all will be revealed!

Goya died in exile in Bordeaux in 1828, and in 1919 his remains were finally returned to Spain and buried here in front of the high-alter.

Self-portrait in the Studio
San Antonio de la Florida fresco (detail)
the-burial-of-the-sardine
The Burial of The Sardine
Prince Of The Peace

Pricing

145 € per person maximum 2
Solo, family & group prices upon request.
Price includes all museum entrance, refreshments and transport.
Optional extra:
Lunch at Casa Mingo next door to the Chapel, famous for roast chicken on the spi

All tours include

  • Stops for drinks and tapas
  • Membership in the Wellington Society of Madrid

Membership benefits include:

  • Our nifty membership cards
  • Help in arranging your travel through Spain
  • Help line on the Chairman’s cell phone (+34 609 14 32 03), 8 am to midnight 7 days a week
  • Recommended restaurants featuring specific regional foods such as paella, roast lamb, rabo del toro, and vegetarian cuisine in Madrid and in Central Spain.
  • Expert advice on interesting Spanish wines to buy, generally unavailable outside the country.