Círculo de Bellas Artes

The Círculo de Bellas Artes is one of the great cultural institutions of Madrid, and it occupies one of the most recognisable buildings on the corner where the Calle de Alcalá meets the Gran Vía. The association was founded in 1880 as a meeting place for artists, writers and intellectuals, and it has remained a private, membership-based club that opens many of its spaces to the public. The present building was designed by the architect Antonio Palacios, who also designed the nearby Palace of Communications, and built in the 1920s, opening in 1926. Its monumental, layered façade, with a tower rising in tiers toward a rooftop crowned by a statue of Minerva, gives the corner a distinctive profile.

Inside, the building houses several different spaces. Large exhibition rooms host shows of painting, photography, sculpture and design, often free or at modest cost. A theatre, the Teatro Fernando de Rojas, stages plays and dance, and a cinema screens art-house and classic films, while concert halls and meeting rooms host music, readings and talks. The programme is wide, covering visual arts, music, cinema, literature, science and philosophy, and many events are open to anyone. Over the decades, writers and artists such as the playwright Ramón del Valle-Inclán took part in its life, and its debates were part of Madrid's intellectual history.

One of the best-known features is the café, La Pecera, the Fishbowl, a vast room with tall windows and a high ceiling on the ground floor, where people meet for coffee, read newspapers and talk. It is a classic piece of Madrid café culture. At the top of the building, a rooftop terrace, reached by lift, offers one of the best views of central Madrid, taking in the Gran Vía, the dome of the Metrópolis building, the rooftops of the old town and the hills in the distance. It is especially popular at sunset, when the city is lit, and it has a bar.

The building sits at the junction of several parts of the city. The Puerta del Sol, the Casa de la Villa and the Mercado de San Miguel are a short walk to the west, and the Prado, Thyssen-Bornemisza and Reina Sofía Museums are a short walk to the east and south. The Royal Palace of Madrid and the Temple of Debod are further west. It is a good place for a break after sightseeing.

It suits culture lovers and anyone who wants a view, and a visit can be quick. Opening times and ticket prices for exhibitions and the rooftop vary, so check the official website before going.