Originally the General San Carlos Hospital, this is a perfect example of a historic building which has been converted into a grand cultural institution – the Reina Sofía National Museum and Art Centre. The original project consisted of seven yards which were to combine Italian baroque and “escurial” tradition. During the 1980’s, the rest of the building was redesigned as a museum of contemporary art.

The Museum’s original yard is a perfect complement to the visit. It is a peaceful and quiet shelter, which allows for the admiration of magnificent sculptures by Calder and Miró. Sabatini, who also designed the building in 1790, designed the original garden. Despite a major remodeling in 1850 and several successive remodelings, the garden remains intact. Two splendid Neo-Classical fountains that remain since the original construction are part of the present garden.