Gimnasio del Colegio Maravillas, School gymnasium in Chamartin, Madrid, Spain
The Maravillas School Gymnasium is a sports facility in Chamartin with steel trusses and large windows that bring natural light through its multi-level spaces spanning a 12-meter slope. The complex contains multiple sports courts, an auditorium, meeting rooms, changing facilities, showers, and a rooftop recreation terrace.
Architect Alejandro de la Sota designed this educational facility in 1962, and the project won the National Grand Prize for Plastic Arts in Architecture the following year. The design marked a turning point in Spanish school architecture and demonstrated innovative approaches to integrating sports facilities within school complexes.
The facility became a reference point for Spanish modern architecture and earned official cultural heritage status from Madrid in 2018, showing how thoughtful design shaped educational spaces. Its recognition reflects how the local community views it as a symbol of innovative school buildings.
Access to the facility is from higher ground due to the sloped terrain, which results in multiple entrances at different levels throughout the building. Visitors should be aware that the layout is multilevel and it helps to orient yourself by exploring the different access points beforehand.
Real Madrid Basketball team used this facility as their temporary home court in 1963 while their sports city was still under construction. This shows how crucial the infrastructure was to the city at that time and what role school facilities played in supporting professional sports.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
