Cinco siglos de Consejo de Estado

The Jorge Juan Room of the National Library hosts the exhibition Cinco siglos del Consejo de Estado en España from 16 November 2026 to 14 February 2027. The show traces the 500 years of history of this institution and its role in shaping Spain's political and administrative structure, from the Spanish Monarchy to the present day.

Organised to mark the 5th Centenary of the Council of State, the exhibition offers a journey through the different stages of an institution whose origins date back to 1521 and whose consolidation took place in 1526, during the reign of Charles I. Over five centuries, the Council has played a fundamental role in the political and administrative evolution of Spain and in the formation of the modern state.

The exhibition route brings together historical documents, books, paintings, sculptures, coins and other objects that show how the institution has changed from the 16th century to the present day.

The pieces come from major national archives, including the General Archive of Simancas, the National Historical Archive, the General Archive of the Royal Palace, the Archive of the Congress of Deputies and the Archive of the Council of State.

Through this combined documentary and artistic collection, the show offers an overview of the Council of State's trajectory and its capacity to adapt to different political contexts, until it became an institution that remains active in Spain today.