This year 2024 marks the 150th anniversary of the birth of Antonio Palacios, the Galician architect responsible for such emblematic buildings in Madrid as the Palacio de Cibeles and others – sadly disappeared – such as the Cuatro Caminos Carports. Multiple actions to honor him began with the year –redesigns at subway stops, free activities or a illustrated map– and this month a large free exhibition is being held at the Real Casa de Correos, in Puerta del Sol.
The sample organized by Metro de Madrid, is entitled Antonio Palacios. The Metro Architect and was inaugurated last Thursday, May 9.
Specifically, this exhibition (which can be accessed through calle del Correo, 1) is a retrospective of Palacios’ work, which includes “from his first drawings in 1917 to his latest works,” according to the press release issued by the Community of Madrid.
What does Antonio Palacios’ exhibition consist of?
Antonio Palacios. The Metro Architect is distributed over 355 square meters, dedicated to show the history of the metro -then Alfonso XIII Metropolitan Company- “from its beginnings, when it was only an aspiration, to the completion of the four original lines of the network (1, 2, 3 and 4)”.
To carry out this review of Palacios’ work on the Madrid subway, 200 pieces of large-format graphic and audiovisual material have been collected , in addition to other media such as models and plans. Among them, visitors will find the historical reproduction of the Puerta del Sol (1936) and the Gran Vía elevator pavilion.
Exhibition hours and guided tours
As for the opening hours, the exhibition is open from 10am to 2pm and from 4pm to 8pm and can be visited until June 30. In addition, guided tours are scheduled at scheduled times (until full capacity is reached). In order to attend it is necessary to reserve a place in advance at this link.