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Located between Calle Bailén and the Plaza de España, this imposing building of eclectic monumental ‘Alphonsine’ (named after Alphonse XII) style, was built between 1895 and 1899 by the architect Manuel Martinez Ángel to house the headquarters of the Belgian company Real Compañía Asturiana de Minas.

The building is divided into two rectangular wings on either side of a central section crowned by a domed tower, which houses a large imperial staircase. The ground floor was used as a warehouse, and the three upper floors accommodate housing and office space, with a combination of stone and brick on the first two floors. The top floor has an attic with a slate roof, which, together with the domed towers, are reminiscent of French architecture. It still retains some magnificent classicist stained glass windows around the staircase and entrance created by Maumejean in 1899.

The building was acquired at the end of the 20th century by Mutua Madrileña Automovilística, and between 1988 and 2009 it was leased to Madrid’s Regional Department of Culture. It has also hosted several exhibitions, such as Street Art, in 2006, Casa Decor, in 2012, and the Terracotta Army - The Warriors of Xian, in 2013.

Image
Real Compañía Asturiana de Minas (© Luis García, Wikipedia)
Practical Information
Address
Plaza
de España, 8
28008
Tourist area
Austrias
Telephone
Fax
Email
Metro
Plaza de España (L2, L3, L10)
Bus
001, 1, 2, 3, 25, 39, 44, 46, 62, 74, 75, 133, 138, 148, C1, C2, N16, N18, N19, N20, N21
Cercanías (local train)
Madrid-Sol
BiciMAD bike-share scheme

Docking station: Plaza de España (calle Princesa, 5)

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Sights and monuments