Naval Museum of Madrid

The Museo Naval de Madrid on the Paseo del Prado has documented the history of the Spanish navy since 1792, from Christopher Columbus to the modern armada. It belongs to the Spanish navy and occupies the Cuartel General de la Armada opposite the Cibeles fountain. Its star piece is the oldest surviving world map showing the Americas, the Carta de Juan de la Cosa of 1500. Alongside it the museum displays hundreds of ship models - from detailed galleons to ships of the line and modern submarines - as well as astrolabes, captains' portraits, captured trophies and material on the Battle of Trafalgar. Visitors walk through generous halls in which Spain presents itself as a naval and colonial power; a hands-on brig model entertains children while adults find deep colonial-history layers.