Catherine from Madrid
Serrería Belga Madrid
Old Sawmill, New Gallery
The Golden Triangle of Art, as it’s known in Madrid, comprises three of the most famous art galleries in the world — the Prado, Reina Sofía and Thyssen-Bornemisza. However, hidden in the back streets around the Paseo del Prado are plenty of enjoyable, smaller galleries. My favourite being the recently-opened Serrería Belga.
Madrid repurposes their old spaces really well, and the Serrería Belga is no exception. Built between 1924 and 1925, this building was originally a sawmill belonging to the Belgian Society of the Pine Forests of El Paular. During these years, a sawmill was needed to accommodate the demand for wood required for residential construction in the area around nearby Atocha Station.
A fine example of the innovative architecture of reinforced concrete, forged beams, and concrete pillars in the early 20th Century, today, this building is a cool and modern space used to showcase some of Madrid’s most diverse arts and culture. Serrería Belga is where art, photography, music, literature, poetry, photography, fashion and design intertwine.
Spread over three floors, each highlighting different mediums, I especially love their photography exhibitions, particularly those centering on Madrid's music scenes through the decades. The exhibitions here always bring the city's dynamic past to life in such interesting ways.
If you're in the mood to enjoy some of Madrid's most unique art away from the tourist throngs of its neighboring galleries, Serrería Belga is the perfect place to immerse yourself in Madrid's cultural scene and experience a bit of the city's fascinating past.
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