So much of the history and culture you’ll see when you visit Spain relates to the spoils of its imperial adventures in the Americas. This thoughtful museum uses its vast collection of objects from scientific research trips and archaeological digs to record and understand the rich cultures that were forever altered by their interaction with the European explorers and conquistadors. The museum focuses on two key strands: the Knowledge of America, which deals with the story—and myths—of discovery and empire, and the Reality of America, which seeks to explain how Latin America became what it is today. Exhibits re-create the cabinet of curiosities prized by Carlos III in the 18th century—it’s intriguing to imagine what it would have been like to see a Mayan carving or golden funerary figure from Colombia for the first time.