Marking the 500th anniversary of the Council of State, this exhibition traces five centuries in the history of an institution central to Spain’s political and administrative development through original documents, paintings, publications, graphic works and historical objects.

To mark the 500th anniversary of the Council of State, the National Library of Spain presents Five Centuries of the Council of State in Spain, an exhibition exploring five hundred years in the history of an institution that has played a fundamental role in Spain’s political and administrative development. The exhibition will be on view in the Jorge Juan Exhibition Hall at the National Library of Spain, Madrid, from 16 November 2026 to 14 February 2027.
 

The exhibition traces the evolution of the Council of State from its origins in the sixteenth century to the present day. Structured around five main sections, it examines the institution’s transformation through successive historical periods, first as an essential part of the political and administrative structure of the Spanish Monarchy and later as a key institution in the development of the modern Spanish state.
 

The exhibition begins with the reigns of Charles V and Philip II, when the Council of State took shape and consolidated its position within the system of government of the Monarchy. It continues through the reigns of the later Habsburg monarchs before examining the changes introduced during the eighteenth century under the Bourbons and the transition towards constitutional government.
 

Its final and largest section covers the period from the Cortes of Cádiz and the Constitution of 1812 to the present day, tracing the evolution of the State’s consultative function through the different political regimes and periods of Spain’s modern history.
 

The exhibition brings together a wide-ranging selection of original documents, paintings, publications, graphic works and historical objects from numerous Spanish collections and institutions. Lenders include the General Archive of Simancas, the National Historical Archive, the Council of State itself, the Museo Nacional del Prado, the National Library of Spain, Patrimonio Nacional, the Royal Academy of History, Banco de España, Fundación Casa de Alba and the Museum of History of Madrid, among others.

Documents, portraits, medals, books, uniforms and other objects offer visitors an insight not only into major political events spanning five centuries, but also into the Council’s inner workings and the development of its responsibilities. The exhibition explores its historical involvement in areas such as foreign policy and the conduct of war, as well as its role in the modern State as the supreme consultative body of the Government.
 

The project forms part of the programme commemorating the 500th anniversary of the Council of State (1526–2026) and is curated by Feliciano Barrios Pintado, Professor of Legal and Institutional History and a full member of the Royal Academy of History.
 

The exhibition is organised by the Council of State, the National Library of Spain, the Friends of the National Library of Spain Foundation and Acción Cultural Española (AC/E). AC/E is also involved in the exhibition’s production and technical coordination and in the implementation of the exhibition design.
 

Title: Five Centuries of the Council of State in Spain
Dates: 16 November 2026 – 14 February 2027
Venue: National Library of Spain, Jorge Juan Exhibition Hall, Madrid
Opening hours: Monday to Saturday, 10 am to 8 pm; Sundays and public holidays, 10 am to 2 pm. Last admission 30 minutes before closing.
Admission: Free. Limited capacity.
Curator: Feliciano Barrios Pintado