Círculo de Bellas Artes
Círculo de Bellas Artes, Cultural center in Gran Vía district, Madrid, Spain.
Description
Círculo de Bellas Artes is a large cultural institution housed in a distinctive building designed by architect Antonio Palacios along Gran Vía in Madrid. Its interior contains exhibition galleries, a library, dance halls, and a rooftop terrace offering views across the city.
History
The institution was founded in 1880 by a group of artists and received its current home in 1926 when King Alfonso XIII inaugurated the building. Since then it has remained an important center for artistic and cultural activities in Madrid.
Culture
The place serves as a meeting point where artists and intellectuals gather for exhibitions, performances, and conversations about creative work. The rooms dedicated to literature, dance, and film show how the institution shapes cultural life in the city.
Practical
The building is easy to reach in downtown Madrid and an elevator takes visitors directly to the rooftop terrace for city views. Exhibitions and performances happen throughout the year, so visiting is worthwhile regardless of the season.
Did you know?
The roof is crowned with a large statue of Minerva representing the goddess of wisdom and symbolizing the artistic mission of the place. Many visitors overlook this artful decoration when they focus only on the interior spaces.
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide. Discover all places nearby (Community of Madrid).
Major cities around the world feature high vantage points that allow viewing their architecture and geography. From Paris to Hong Kong, these spaces are located in hotels, cultural centers, or private establishments. The Ozone Bar is on the 118th floor of a Hong Kong tower, while the Sky Garden in...
Madrid brings together royal history with everyday city life. The city holds palaces from the 18th century, wide parks, and art collections built up over generations. The Royal Palace sits on the site of a medieval fortress, while Retiro Park was once royal grounds before opening to the public. The...
Metropolis Building
92 m
Teatro de la Zarzuela
128 m
Church of San José
85 m
Edificio Grassy
139 m
Círculo de Bellas Artes
13 m
Victoria Alada
86 m
Building of the Banco Mercantil e Industrial
149 m
Headquarters of the Ministry of Education of Spain
68 m
Teatro Bellas Artes
26 m
Former headquarters of the Banco de Vizcaya
104 m
Palacio Fontagud
170 m
Real Academia de Jurisprudencia y Legislación headquarters
127 m
Blanquerna Cultural Center-Bookshop
31 m
Calle de Alcalá 44, Madrid
46 m
Banco Popular Español headquarters in Alcalá Street, Madrid
157 m
Casa del párroco de la iglesia de San José
99 m
Maqueta Centenario de la Gran Vía
64 m
Biblioteca del Círculo de Bellas Artes
44 m
Commemorative plaque to Casto Fernández-Shaw Iturralde
132 m
Scale model of the Gran Vía
67 m
Gran Vía 4, Madrid
143 mCortijos y Rascacielos
145 mFélix Lope de Vega
89 mJaime Marquet
58 mRamón de la Cruz
168 mTeófilo Gautier
167 mJuanjo Cristóbal
86 mAntonio del Rosal y Rico
90 mDiscover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes