Architecture

The Story Behind Madrid’s Historic Doors

Part of the city’s aesthetic heritage One of the first things that caught my eye about Madrid was its beautiful wooden doors. Studded with ornate brass or iron fittings, the varnished panels engraved with florid designs, often with the words “asegurada de incendios” mounted on a plaque above, these historic doors form an important part …

The Story Behind Madrid’s Historic Doors Read More »

Plaza de la Cebada: a Grotesque Reshaping of a Historic Square

Soviet-style concrete monstrosity Earlier this month the new granite face of Plaza de la Cebada was unveiled to very little fanfare. While locals might have been excited to see a shiny new sports centre appear on what was once an empty lot, it’s hard to imagine anyone was particularly impressed by the blank stone surfaces …

Plaza de la Cebada: a Grotesque Reshaping of a Historic Square Read More »

Madrid’s Only Surviving Pelota Stadium Restored to its Former Glory

The neo-classical facade of Beti Jai

From the street, Madrid’s only remaining pelota stadium doesn’t look like much. Painted a genteel cream and white and decorated with ornamental columns and balustrades, it blends nicely in with the very Parisian look of Madrid’s northern neighbourhoods. But behind its polite public façade, a fast and furious version of pelota called cesta punta, or …

Madrid’s Only Surviving Pelota Stadium Restored to its Former Glory Read More »

Cerro de los Ángeles, Spain’s Ground Cerro

  Nobody knows quite why Philip II moved the royal court to Madrid back in the 16th century, but one credible theory is that its location, right at the heart of the Iberian Peninsula, made it the perfect spot to rule from. Only, if this was his true motivation, he was ever so slightly off. …

Cerro de los Ángeles, Spain’s Ground Cerro Read More »

Madrid’s Colonias: Social Housing to Hot Property

The story of Madrid’s colonias When Madrid’s city walls were demolished in 1868, a construction boom got underway, with smart apartment blocks springing up all over the place. Areas like Salamanca took on a distinctly Parisian feel as the wealthy moved into grand flats furnished with every modern convenience. But little provision was made for …

Madrid’s Colonias: Social Housing to Hot Property Read More »

A Peek Inside Banco de España

Dominating Cibeles, the Banco de España, with its imposing wrought iron doorways and gorgeous masonry, is one of Madrid’s most impressive buildings. But, being home to the country’s huge gold reserves, visits inside are strictly supervised and incredibly scarce. For most of us mere mortals, the only opportunity to penetrate this behemoth comes once a …

A Peek Inside Banco de España Read More »

Shaping the skyline¨: Madrid’s most notable architects

While Madrid lacks the architectural flamboyancy of Barcelona, or the long history of cities like Cordoba or Granada, the capital does have its own distinctive style. A certain something that suddenly strikes you when you turn a corner on a street lit up by the setting sun. While it’s impossible to sum up exactly what …

Shaping the skyline¨: Madrid’s most notable architects Read More »