Voces del Prado

The Origin of the Montepío at the Museo del Prado

Juan Manuel Gómez Agredano, Service Technician for Electricity and Air Conditioning (Electrician), 1972-What's on

The Museo del Prado had a mutual benefit society, the Montepío, which was a kind of charity association, a kind of social benefits organisation. There was a Countess or a Marchioness, I can’t remember exactly which, who donated money to a fund so that the employees at the Museum could have a meal together each year. And this went on until 1970 or 1971. The meal was held for all the employees and everyone was gifted an ashtray featuring an emblem of the Museo del Prado. I still have one at home, because my mother experienced those meals. And I think that’s where the Montepío, the mutual benefits society, originated, which was funded by a small quota paid by the State. Although I never formed part of the society. But those members of staff who did take part carried out social measures, a lottery, and they handed over a small amount when you retired. But that only applied to the oldest members of staff. I never formed part of any of that.