Spain's Patrimonio Nacional Lifts Photo Ban in Royal Sites

Patrimonio Nacional, the Spanish public institution managing properties formerly owned by the Crown, has lifted its ban on photography for personal use in most of its royal sites, including the newly opened Galería de las Colecciones Reales in Madrid, the Palacio de la Almudaína in Palma de Mallorca, the monastery de las Huelgas Reales in Burgos, and El Escorial. The policy shift, tested over recent months, follows a similar move by the Museo Reina Sofía, which in September 2023 allowed visitors to photograph Picasso's Guernica. However, the Museo del Prado maintains a strict prohibition on photographing artworks, arguing it preserves the quality of the visitor experience and prevents masterpieces like Velázquez's Las Meninas from becoming backdrops for selfies. The Prado instead offers free high-resolution downloads of its collection online. Under the new rules, photography remains banned in sensitive areas such as the Cuarto Alto of the Real Alcázar of Seville and the Pantheon of the Kings at El Escorial, where royal family members are buried. Images of security guards are also prohibited. The decision prioritizes social media engagement over image rights and preservation concerns, though critics question whether screen-mediated experiences diminish genuine appreciation of art.