Former Banco Central Hispano headquarters, Banking landmark in Sol district, Madrid, Spain
The former Banco Central Hispano headquarters is a banking building in Madrid's Sol district located at Plaza Canalejas. It combines multiple properties into one structure featuring a generous double-height banking floor with main level and mezzanine sections that are now part of the La Galería shopping center.
Construction began in 1902 under architect Eduardo Adaro, creating a monumental structure with spaces for banking, offices, and apartments. During the 1940s the institution acquired neighboring properties and connected them through renovations to form a unified building complex.
The building served as a symbol of Madrid's financial power in the 20th century and still shapes the character of the square today. The ornamental details on the facade and inside reflect how banks once used grand architecture to express their importance.
The building is centrally located at Plaza Canalejas and is easily accessible on foot, especially when exploring the Sol district. Walking through leads naturally to the shopping center, allowing visitors to enjoy the architecture while moving through.
The restoration preserved more than 16,000 historical elements carefully, including original stained glass, plasterwork, and metalwork from around 1900. This extensive renovation shows the effort invested to protect the artistic craftsmanship of the early modern period.
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