Museo ABC

Museo ABC in Madrid is a museum dedicated to press drawing and illustration, tucked inside a former industrial building on Calle de Amaniel.

What can visitors see at Museo ABC?

The museum houses the collection belonging to the Madrid newspaper ABC — more than 200,000 original drawings that were published in the paper and in the weekly magazine "Blanco y Negro" since the late 19th century. It is the largest collection of its kind in Spain, documenting over a century of press illustration: from political satire to drawn reportage and magazine covers. Among the works are originals by artists who shaped the visual language of the Spanish press for decades.

The museum doesn't limit itself to showing historical holdings — it also runs temporary exhibitions dedicated to contemporary illustrators and cartoonists, giving younger artists a space to present their work to a wider audience.

Where is the building located, and what is its history?

Museo ABC occupies a building that, in the early 20th century, was the first Mahou beer factory in Madrid. The brick industrial architecture has been adapted for exhibition purposes while keeping the character of the original structure — tall spaces and raw interiors create a contrast with the delicacy of the drawings on display. The museum opened to the public in September 2010, while the ABC collection itself has been growing since 1891.

How do you get there, and when can you visit?

Museo ABC is located at Calle de Amaniel 29-31, near the Conde Duque barracks, one of the key cultural institutions in this part of Madrid. The neighborhood combines a quieter, low-key character with proximity to the city center — Plaza de España and Gran Vía are within walking distance.

The museum is open Tuesday to Saturday, from 11:00 to 14:00 and 16:00 to 20:00. It is closed on Mondays and Sundays, which is worth keeping in mind when planning a visit.

Who is this museum for?

Museo ABC is worth visiting both for fans of illustration as an art form and for anyone interested in the history of the press and media in Spain. The exhibition traces how the style of press drawing evolved over more than a century — from classic graphics at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries to modern comic and satirical forms. It's also a solid option for visitors looking for a less crowded alternative to Madrid's biggest museums.

Frequently asked questions

Does Museo ABC only show press drawings, or other art forms too? The core of the collection is drawings and illustrations published in the ABC newspaper and "Blanco y Negro" magazine, but the museum also hosts temporary exhibitions covering a broader range of illustration and drawing-based art.

Does the museum building have historical significance? Yes — it was the first Mahou beer factory in Madrid, built around 1900. Adapting this industrial interior for museum use is one of the reasons the building itself is worth seeing, alongside the art.

What are Museo ABC's opening hours? The museum is open Tuesday to Saturday, from 11:00 to 14:00 and 16:00 to 20:00. It is closed on Mondays and Sundays.

How large is the museum's collection? The collection holds more than 200,000 original drawings and illustrations, gathered since 1891, making it one of the largest collections of its kind in Spain.