CaixaForum Madrid · Audio guide
Listen to the story of CaixaForum Madrid
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Story
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.
Visiting CaixaForum Madrid
- How to get there
- The closest bus stops are Museo del Prado-Jardín Botánico (143 meters, line 79) and Prado-Atocha (144 meters, line 81). The nearest metro/train stop is Plaza del Emperador Carlos V, 231 meters away.
- Opening hours
- Monday to Sunday, 10:00-20:00.
- Entry
- Yes, the site is accessible.
- Website
- https://fundacionlacaixa.org/es/caixaforum-madrid
Frequently asked questions
What is the history of CaixaForum Madrid?
Originally a power station built in 1902, it was transformed into a cultural center by the Swiss architects Herzog and de Meuron in 2008. The building is known for its unique architectural design, including a floating appearance and a vertical garden.
What can I see at CaixaForum Madrid?
The center hosts temporary art exhibitions and cultural events. It features 2,000 square meters of exhibition space, an auditorium with 322 seats, and multipurpose rooms.
What is the vertical garden at CaixaForum Madrid?
Designed by botanist Patrick Blanc, the vertical garden is 24 meters high and features 15,000 plants from 250 different species. It changes color with the seasons and is a unique feature in Madrid.
What is nearby CaixaForum Madrid?
CaixaForum is located on Paseo del Prado, surrounded by major cultural sites like the Museo del Prado, the Thyssen, and the Reina Sofía. The area was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2021.
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