The stunning Palacio de Cibeles is not only the headquarters of Madrid City Council, it is also home to CentroCentro. This cultural centre in the Paseo del Arte - Art Walk is an intercultural meeting place, a large public square for the general public, and a setting for participation, action, leisure and learning. Approached in a transversal and multidisciplinary way, through design, illustration, architecture and urbanism, poetry and literature, fashion and the arts, it aims to put together proposals and reflections that address elements of change in customs, urban uses, flows and social relations. The activities put on here include exhibitions, concerts, workshops, seminars, meetings, reading groups, performances, screenings, and publications.
The former Postal and Telegraph Courtyard, on the second floor, remains the emblematic and functional soul of the palace and maintains its original communications function. Today, in addition to cultural activities, it has a cultural information point about the city and a cafeteria. The former chapel of the Telecommunications Palace is a unique space that hosts different activities such as meetings, conferences, and poetry cycles. The various exhibitions areas are spread over the first, third, fourth, and fifth floors, covering more than 8000 m2.
On an underground level that did not exist in the old building, an Auditorium was built under the Crystal Gallery. With the capacity to hold up to 262 people, it is fully accessible and can accommodate all kinds of activities from conferences and presentations to concerts.
The building has two restaurants: Colección Cibeles on the ground floor and Palacio de Cibeles on the 6th. Both are open Monday to Sunday.
Also on the sixth floor is Terraza Cibeles, a great rooftop bar where you can relax with a pre-dinner drink or mid-afternoon snack as you take in the wonderful views of the Plaza de Cibeles and the Madrid skyline.
For even more breath-taking vistas, head up to the Mirador observation deck on the 8th floor.
The Palace, designed by acclaimed architects Antonio Palacios and Joaquín Otamendi, was opened in 1919 and originally served as the Head Post Office. Declared a Cultural Heritage Monument in 1993, it has a Functionalistic design and is one of the oldest examples of Modernist architecture in Spain.
Guided tours of the building and Mirador observation deck
Temporary opening hours due to the extreme heat:
Mirador observation deck: 10.30am-2.00pm (Tue-Sun)
Guided tours: 10am (Tue-Fri). The visit on Weds afternoon has been suspended.
CentroCentro offers free guided tours of both the building and the Mirador observation deck. The tour of the building (available in English, French and Italian) lasts approximately 1 hour for groups of up to 24 people (guide included). The tour of the Mirador (only available in Spanish) is 30 minutes long and is for a maximum of 10 people (guide included).
For either tour you must book your place in advance, by email at info@centrocentro.org, at the information desk (main floor) or by telephone at (+34) 914 800 008.
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