CentroCentro Madrid
Iconic landmark with hidden depths
I can’t pretend that CentroCentro is a hidden gem - you can’t miss it! But wait, it might actually be hiding in plain sight, because although you’ll take pictures of the outside for sure, what you could miss is all the exciting things on offer inside.
First a quick history - designed in 1904 by the recently graduated Antonio Palacios and his partner Joaquin Otamendi, this monumental architectural mashup of a building began life as Madrid’s main post office under the name “Cathedral of Communications,” when it finally opened in 1919. The city council relocated there in 2007 and since 2011 it has served both as city hall and public cultural centre.
I’ve been in Madrid long enough to remember buying stamps there back in the day - it was pretty impressive, if a bit shabby. I am so happy to see how the building has been spruced up (at great cost!) and is thriving in its second life as a cultural hub.
So what’s inside? Exhibitions, concerts, cinema in the gigantic hall in the summer, a lovely restaurant on the 6th floor and a cafe on the 1st, a gift shop, and a social area with great seating where you can regroup and make use of the free wifi. There is also a viewing deck with fantastic views - check the website for opening hours the mirador, as they can vary.
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