Cybele Palace, Monumental palace in central Madrid, Spain.
Cybele Palace is a monumental building in central Madrid, Spain, rising at the intersection of Paseo del Prado and Calle de Alcalá. The white stone facade displays eclectic elements with decorative towers and reaches a height of approximately 40 m (131 ft).
The building was designed and constructed between 1907 and 1909 by architects Antonio Palacios and Joaquín Otamendi to serve as headquarters for the Spanish Post Office. The city government of Madrid later took over the building and transformed it into their current seat.
The name comes from the famous fountain statue of the goddess Cybele that stands directly in front of the building and has been a landmark for decades. The square itself serves as a gathering point for celebrations and football fans who come here after their teams win.
The nearest metro station is Banco de España, which puts the building within a short walk. Access to the exhibition spaces is available from Tuesday to Sunday between 10 AM and 8 PM, with Mondays closed.
A glass gallery stretches beneath a transparent dome over an area of 2,800 square meters and brings an unusual amount of daylight inside. Below the gallery sits an underground auditorium with 262 seats used for lectures and events.
Location: Madrid
Inception: 1907
Architects: Antonio Palacios Ramilo, Joaquín Otamendi
Official opening: March 14, 1919
Architectural style: eclectic architecture
Height: 40 m
Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible
Part of: Paseo del Prado and Buen Retiro, a landscape of Arts and Sciences
Address: Plaza Cibeles, 1, Retiro, 28014 Madrid, Spain
GPS coordinates: 40.41861,-3.69167
Latest update: December 5, 2025 22:28
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 Prado Museum shows European paintings from several centuries, and the Templo de Debod is an Egyptian temple brought to Madrid in the 1970s. The city's squares reflect different periods. Plaza Mayor from the 17th century hosted public events, while Puerta del Sol marks the geographic center of Spain. Gran Via emerged in the early 20th century as a modern thoroughfare. Markets like San Miguel and the Sunday flea market at El Rastro reveal daily rhythms. Neighborhoods such as La Latina keep narrow streets and traditional taverns, while parks like Casa de Campo offer wide green space on the city edge.
Madrid establishes itself as one of the richest cultural capitals in Europe. Behind its wide avenues and lively squares, the city reveals a heritage that is royal, artistic, and popular. From the Royal Palace to the Prado, from the Retiro Gardens to the alleys of Plaza Mayor, each neighborhood tells a piece of Spanish history. Art lovers discover masterpieces from the Golden Age, visitors stroll between contemporary museums, markets, and cathedrals, while Madrilenians enjoy their parks as open-air salons. Between iconic museums, historic buildings, and lively places, this selection gathers the essential sites to understand Madrid’s beauty and energy, balancing tradition and modernity.
Fountain of Cybele
145 m
Palace of Linares
148 m
Palacio de Buenavista
356 m
Bank of Spain headquarters
274 m
Fountain of Apollo
245 m
Naval Museum
131 m
Naval Museum of Madrid
155 m
Instituto Cervantes
331 m
Centro Canalejas
174 m
Iglesia y Convento de San Pascual, Madrid
309 m
Monument to the victims of the Coronavirus, Madrid
198 m
Palacio de Zabálburu, Madrid
217 m
Teniente Jacinto Ruíz Mendoza
403 m
Edificio de Seguros La Aurora
223 m
Palacio del Marqués de Alcañices
324 m
Former headquarters of the Banco de Vizcaya
393 m
Refugiados
229 m
Palacio López-Dóriga
329 m
Biblioteca Francisco de Zabálburu
205 m
Palacio Fontagud
374 m
Niños con jarrón de Cibeles, Madrid
107 m
Calle de Alcalá 44, Madrid
372 m
Casa-Palacio de Demetrio Palazuelo
118 m
Estatua de Andrómaca, Madrid
219 m
La Equitativa building
174 m
Commemorative plaque to the Lyceum Club Femenino, Madrid
442 m
Fuente en la plaza del Rey
425 m
Edificio del Banco de Levante
253 mVisited this place? Tap the stars to rate it and share your experience / photos with the community! Try now! You can cancel it anytime.
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