The Royal Collections Gallery joins the International Museum Day on May 18 with free admission. Under the motto Museums Uniting a Divided World, visitors can access for free by picking up their ticket at the box office. Additionally, spaces normally closed to the public will be opened, and there will be talks with experts. The Royal Palace will also offer free entry, while the rest of the palaces and monasteries of National Heritage will remain closed as it is a Monday.
The technology behind the conservation of the royal collections 🖥️
The Gallery applies environmental control systems to preserve works such as Flemish tapestries or historical carriages. IoT sensors monitor temperature and humidity in real time, autonomously adjusting the climate control. LED lighting with UV filters prevents pigment degradation in paintings and furniture. For the digital inventory, 3D photogrammetry is used, generating high-resolution models that allow each piece to be studied without direct handling. These systems reduce wear and ensure the safety of cultural assets.
A Monday of open doors (and closed for the rest) 🚪
On May 18, the Gallery and the Royal Palace open for free, but the rest of the palaces and monasteries of National Heritage will be closed as it is a Monday. So, if you wanted to visit El Escorial, you'll have to wait. However, you will be able to see the carriage collection without paying a euro, although you might run into some tourist who thought Monday was the best day for an express tour. The irony: a day to unite the world, but with half the museum network twiddling its thumbs.