Círculo de Bellas Artes academy

This impressive building in the Calle de Alcalá was designed by the architect Antonio Palacios and offers a prime example of Madrid's cultural life. Work on the building began in 1921, and it opened in 1926. It has a rectangular floor plan with a façade tending towards a pyramidal shape. Its distinctive ornamentation features sculptures of the goddess Minerva among others, as well as reliefs and painted decoration. The building stands 48 metres high and its spectacular interior contains exhibition rooms, a library, a beautiful lounge/dining room, in addition to a dance hall and the Sala de Columnas (Hall of Columns) function room.