Sala Canal Isabel II Madrid

Sala Canal Isabel II by Rios Rosas metro in Madrid is a great example of an imaginatively re-purposed space. This beautiful tower was originally built to deal with the poor water pressure in this neighbourhood. Made redundant by improvements in engineering and plumbing, it was eventually transformed into an uber-cool gallery space in 1986, destined specifically for contemporary photography and audio-visual exhibitions, although occasionally other arts are featured.

For example, on show currently is a highly popular exhibition of gowns from the studio of Spanish couture designer Lorenzo Caprile.  The walls have been painted black, and spotlights on the opulent gowns make a dramatic display. Opened mid-October 2024, you can catch it up to March 30 2025. For the first time, you can reserve tickets online, which I recommend. It’s very easy — just search for “exposición Caprile Lorenzo” and reserve your free tickets for up to 5 people.

It really is a truly unique gallery where you can see a beautifully curated exhibition in under an hour — perfect for days when you fancy a small dose of culture!