Bank of spain building in Madrid

Not only is it a very important buiding but it is also located in plein city centre. Its facades face notably emblematic sites such as Cibeles square, Alcala Street, Paseo del Prado, Madrazo Street and Marques de Cubas Street.

This extraordinay buiding used to be in Atocha square before its current location. It was set up in 1856 when Banco de Isabel II and Banco de San Fernando merged and became one. Afterwards, in consequence of its increasing importance and activities it was decided to buy Palacio de Alcañices, Duque de Sesto´s property, which  turned into the Bank of Spain buiding in Madrid.

They had two architects in charge of its construction : Eduardo de Adaro and Severiano Sainz de la Lastra. It started being constructed on July 4^th  1884. It performed various functions such as issuing unique bills for Spain.  It was inaugurated March 3^rd  1891 by Alfonso XIII King and his mother the Queen regent María Cristina.

Characteristics of bank of spain building in madrid

Broadly speaking, this buiding has an eclectic character. Its facades are made of classic elements wheras they are extremly well complemented by its doors and grilles. This last are somehow influenced by the French design. However, the rest of the building is a bit restrained. Its plinths and lower plants are more appropriate for the building it houses. Its variety is offset by he horizontality of the hole building.
On one hand, it should be noted the marvelous marble stair of Carrara. This stair is a sample of the most traditional architecture, implemented by Adolfo Aeizaga. It appears accompanied by a series of stained glass windows which were done by the German company Mayer, which was executed following a symbolist style and adding various allegorical figures.

On the other hand, it should be noted the patio. Nowadays its a library with an industrial chracter this patio was commissioned to Mieres fabric, where a metallic structure made of molten iron was incorporated ,as well as, the higher stained glass window or the decoration item located in the center of the patio. However, worthy of note is the fantastic art collection this building has, which includes paintings from different authors such as Goya, Meng, Maella, Vicente López,etc.

Building extensions 

The construction of the front half façade which faces Alcala street was approved in 1927,breaking down the well known palace houses dubbed as Santamarca. IN 1969 another extension will take place in this building. It was not until 1978 when the closing of the block was put out to plumbic tender. The winner of this proposal was Rafael Moreno but due to different legal problems which didn’t t allow breaking down Lorite palace, which housed the former headquarters of the bank García-Calamarte, this project didn’t start till 2003-2006.

Gold meday and worldwide cultural interest

The headquarters of the Bank of Spain buiding in Madrid is one of the most marvelous buildings attending to the Spanish architecture of XIX. That is the reason why not only was it recognized during the fine arts national exhibition in 1884 but also was declared an Asset of Cultural Interest in 1999.

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