Madrid’s New Cultural Center

For any of us familiar with Madrid’s architectural history. The “Palacio de Telecom unicacions” in the Plaza de Cibeles, aka, “correos” was a an important monument to Madrid’s modernization at the beginning of the 20th century. It was also the place where you went to stand in line for hours to get your packages prepared and mailed home and where those whose wallets had been heisted would go to recover them in “objectos perdidos.” Now that the building houses city government and the post office has been relegated to the basement, the main core of the building has been recuperated in impressive exhibition space which showcases the old building well. It is now called CentroCentro Cibeles de Cultura y Ciudadania. 5Cs. My old friend Jose  Tono Martinez is its director. The sleek space houses a pictoral history of the old post office and its communicative functions, various visual exhibits a cafeteria, terraza and restaurant the latter two with impressive views of the city and a mirador with even more impressive ones as well as gathering space to relax and converse. More exhibit space and an concert space are being finished as I write this. I will leave for later a comment on the heritage industry and selling place. First, if you are in Madrid and go see it for yourself. If you are an old Madrid lover, see how an old friend who had seen better days has been rehabilitated!