CaixaForum Madrid · Audioguida

Storia

Right on Paseo del Prado, in Madrid, a brick building seems to float above the ground. Unstable, suspended. But let me tell you: it's not an illusion.

Herzog and de Meuron cut its base not just for aesthetics. They solved a problem: the streets around were narrow, no perspective.

By removing the granite plinth, an open space appeared underneath. A covered plaza where the building seems to levitate. But let me tell you what was here before.

In nineteen-oh-one, the Mediodía Power Station started here. Coal, steam, dynamos. Three decades feeding electricity to southern Madrid.

Herzog and de Meuron gutted the interior, demolished a gas station next door, and created a public plaza. The building floats, suspended on strategic pillars.

The plant closed in nineteen thirty. It passed through the hands of ONCE, the National Organization of the Blind. In two thousand one, the la Caixa Foundation bought it to turn it into a museum.

On the neighboring wall, botanist Patrick Blanc designed a twenty-four-meter vertical garden. Fifteen thousand plants from two hundred fifty different species. No soil, just water and nutrients.

It opened in two thousand eight. From coal and dynamos to art and conversation. The energy keeps flowing. Listen to the full guide and I'll tell you more.

Visitare CaixaForum Madrid

Come arrivare

Le fermate più vicine sono Museo del Prado-Jardín Botánico (bus 79) a 143 metri e Prado-Atocha (bus 81) a 144 metri.

Durata della visita

La visita può variare a seconda delle mostre, ma si consiglia di dedicare almeno 1-2 ore.

Orari di apertura

Aperto tutti i giorni dalle 10:00 alle 20:00.

Cosa vedere

Non perdere la scala scultorea bianca e il giardino verticale progettato da Patrick Blanc con 15.000 piante.

Domande frequenti