Spain shuts all major Madrid museums due to coronavirus

The Spanish Ministry of Culture has ordered the closure of all museums in Madrid, including the Prado, Thyssen-Bornemisza, and Reina Sofía, along with state archives and the national film library, due to health concerns over the coronavirus pandemic. The closures follow a suspension of educational activities in the Madrid region until March 25. The three major national museums had already seen a drastic drop in visitors due to reduced tourism. The Prado, which has closed unexpectedly only four times in its 200-year history, previously shut during the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939) when 361 masterpieces were evacuated to Valencia, Catalonia, and Geneva, where they were exhibited at the Musée d'Arts et d'Histoire. Other closures occurred during a workers' strike in 1987 and a national strike in 1988. The most recent closure was on March 12, 2004, in mourning for the victims of the 11-M Islamic terrorist attacks. Now, the Prado is leveraging digital communication, having won a Webby Award in 2016 for its interactive website. Director Miguel Falomir launched a series of daily video live streams on Instagram and Facebook, starting with a commentary on Tintoretto's 'Lavaggio dei piedi' (The Washing of the Feet). These streams remain available on YouTube.