Entrance to Gran Vía Metro station

Opened on 15 July 2021, the recently refurbished Gran Vía metro station has been fitted with a replica of the original entrance. Built by renowned architect Antonio Palacios beginning of the 20th century it served as the entrance to the first line of Madrid’s new metropolitan network, the North-South line.

The original structure, also known as the San Luis Network Temple (alluding to the Square of the San Luis Network in which it was located and the first name of the metro  station, which was later changed to Gran Vía), was standing from 1920 to 1970. Antonio Palacios came up with the solution to come up to street level at the Gran Vía station. As it is at a depth of 20 metres, a lift was built to access it, located in this granite temple, which was covered with an iron and glass shelter. In 1970, it was dismantled and its pieces were transported to Porriño, the birthplace of Palacios.

The current temple, located between Calle Montera and Gran Via, is an exact replica, recovering the great symbolic value that it enjoyed when it was in operation. The reproduction includes the proportions of the initial project. The large shelter has been made out of glass and iron and is totally translucent, allowing light to enter through the lift shaft.  A rounded arch finishes off the construction with the city of Madrid’s coat of arms hand sculptured in stone.

At the Gran Vía station, there is also a small museum with archaeological remains that appeared during the excavation works and extension of the station, which can be found on the second intermediate level.