Bank of Spain

The Bank of Spain's headquarters is one of the most beautiful examples of 19th-century Spanish architecture. A lavish display of decoration, it won an award at the National Fine Arts Exhibition of 1884. The building was constructed to provide the National Bank with a headquarters more befitting the importance of its functions, such as the sole issuance of coins and banknotes for the entire Spanish territory. In 1999, it was declared a Site of Cultural Interest, in the category of Historical Monument.

It was commissioned to the architects Eduardo de Adaro and Severiano Sainz de la Lastra. It is an eclectic building, notable for its elaborate façades incorporating classical elements. These are complemented by French-style doors and ironwork. The façades are articulated at the main entrance with a chamfered corner and are distinguished by simple plinths that accentuate the institution's solid presence. Inside, the staircase and the courtyard, which now houses a library, are particularly noteworthy. The monumental Carrara marble staircase is an example of traditional architecture, designed by the bank's architects and executed by Adolfo Areizaga from Bilbao. It is accompanied by a series of stained-glass windows commissioned from the German company Mayer, which executed them in a symbolist style, incorporating numerous allegorical figures. The industrial character of the institution is embodied in the library, commissioned from the Fábrica de Mieres, which incorporates an exposed cast-iron structure with some Art Deco elements, such as the upper stained-glass window and the decorative piece located in the center of the courtyard. The bank houses an important painting collection, with works by Goya, Mengs, Maella, and Vicente López, among other artists. Since October 2025, the Bank of Spain has been running the Open Doors program, a wide range of free guided tours aimed at bringing the valuable historical and artistic heritage that the institution has accumulated over its more than two centuries of existence closer to the public. These tours will allow visitors to explore the most emblematic architectural spaces of its Cibeles headquarters, such as the Imperial Staircase, the Cash Courtyard (now the Library), the recently restored Collectors' Hall, and the Operations Courtyard, as well as other locations that, in addition to their architectural or artistic value, serve as workplaces or venues for official functions, including the Governing Council Chamber and the state dining rooms. The headquarters also features the Bank of Spain Exhibition Hall, a space where visitors can enjoy temporary exhibitions showcasing different parts of the Bank of Spain Collection, making the historical and artistic heritage preserved by this institution available to the public.