Main Portico and Main Staircase

The Cerralbo Museum is unique in the sense that it is one of the few museum houses in our city that conserves the original atmosphere of what was once the residence of the Marquis of Cerralbo and his family. A museum palace, historical house and museum of atmospheres, it is a reference not to miss if you wish to find out about the way of life of Madrids aristocracy at the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th century.

Plus, as a collectors museum, it features the pieces as they were arranged by the founder and reflects the artistic taste of the time. It is an ensemble that was once considered to be one of the most important private collections in the country and, without a doubt, the most complete of its time.

You enter the palace vestibule through two enormous oak doors which, during the life of the Marquis and Marquess, allowed for the passage of carriages. The small staircase to the right leads to one of the temporary exhibition rooms and to the ceremonial hall which occupy the area where the harness room, stables and large kitchen were once located.

The Main Staircase leads you via a double ramp and marble balustrade to both entrances to the mezzanine floor whereas a wrought iron handrail originally from the Palace of Bárbara de Braganza- the current Palace of Justice of Madrid- invites you to walk up to the noble floor.

The walls are adorned with several elements alluding to the owners aristocratic origins. The Marquis of Cerrralbos coat of arms, with the emblems of the Pacheco family and the family of his wife, Mrs. Inocencia Serrano, is the focus of the decoration in this monumental room. Both sides feature two coat of arms tapestries made during the 17th century in Brussels and in Pastrana. Also noteworthy is the Santo Domingo in Soriano work of art, painted by Antonio de Pereda between 1653 and 1656.