Culture
Norman Foster Foundation, Chamberí
It’s hard to ignore the abundance of artefacts on show here, from Le Corbusier’s 1927 Avions Voisin C7 car to a large section of the Berlin Wall. But Foster’s eponymous foundation’s raison d’être goes beyond a celebration of architecture and art history. With a mission to promote futurism, the refurbished 1912 palace and its gleaming new pavilion represent past and present. “Paving an optimistic path is about engaging and empowering young minds,” says Foster. Containing more than 70,000 objects and illustrations, the foundation is accessible to visitors by appointment.
Colección Solo, Salamanca and Argüelles
Split between two locations – Solo Independencia, a 1,300 sq m private gallery opposite the gates to Retiro Park, and Solo CSV, an even bigger art-and-culture centre near Plaza de España – Colección Solo offers an expansive view of modern art. Its sculpture, video and kinetic works frequently play on artificial intelligence, while its exhibitions playfully juxtapose Spanish icons with modern-day renegades. Make sure to book a ticket before you visit.
Matadero, Arganzuela
This multidisciplinary arts precinct was redesigned from a 20th-century slaughterhouse in 2007. Home to the Cineteca Madrid, national-theatre stages and centres that focus on design, literature and artistic experimentation, the 65,000 sq m riverside location is also host to a rotating roster of events, from music festivals to food markets and creative fairs. While you’re at it, rent a bike and explore the nearby Madrid Río park.
Parra & Romero, Salamanca
In 2005, Guillermo Romero-Parra took the reins of his parents’ gallery, which is located among the boutique shops of the affluent Salamanca district. Since then, he has focused on conceptual and minimalist art and even converted a former haystack shed in Ibiza into a dynamic viewing location.
Cine Doré, Lavapiés
You might recognise this two-screen cinema’s ornately painted façade from appearances in the odd Pedro Almodóvar picture. The beautifully preserved hall, which was built in 1923, is the centrepiece of the Spanish Culture Ministry’s national film archive, offering daily screenings of titles in their original languages. Posters hanging in the foyer pay homage to celluloid film, while the blue velvet curtains, opulent ceiling and red booths in the picturesque Sala Uno (the original retro theatre) evoke their own sense of spectacle.
