The Delegate for Culture, Tourism, and Sport, Marta Rivera de la Cruz, visited the display case dedicated to this Madrid cultural institution at CentroCentro today
The exhibition space offers a journey from the origins to the present day of this entity, founded in 1880, one of the most important private cultural institutions in Europe
The display case brings together documents, objects, and images that reflect the role of the Círculo de Bellas Artes as a meeting place for the arts, thought, and debate
The exhibition is structured around three sections dedicated to the institution’s identity, the cultural milestones of its programming, and its publishing work
Rivera de la Cruz en CentroCentro, durante su visita a la nueva vitrina dedicada al Círculo de Bellas Artes
03/02/2026. The Delegate for Culture, Tourism, and Sport, Marta Rivera de la Cruz, visited today the Interpretation Center of the World Heritage Site “Paseo del Prado and Buen Retiro Gardens: Landscape of the Arts and Sciences,” known as Landscape of Light, located in CentroCentro. There, the pieces displayed in the showcase designated for a guest institution were changed. This time, the exhibition space features the Círculo de Bellas Artes (Circle of Fine Arts) of Madrid, a private, non-profit cultural organization and one of the leading figures in cultural creation and dissemination in the city. The showcase offers a journey through its history, closely linked to the cultural history of Madrid since its founding in 1880.
Through a carefully curated selection of documents, objects, and images of significant heritage value, the space illustrates the evolution of the Círculo de Bellas Artes and its consolidation as a meeting place for the arts, literature, music, film, philosophy, and debate. The exhibited materials reflect both the artistic dimension of the institution and its social role.
More than a century of cultural life
The exhibition space is organized into three main sections. The first focuses on the founding documents and elements that define the Círculo’s institutional identity, such as the founding charter, the historical logo, and the first membership lists. The second addresses some of the most significant cultural milestones in its programming, from exhibitions and concerts to emblematic celebrations like masked balls and literary initiatives. Finally, the third highlights the publishing work carried out by the organization throughout its history.
The exhibition is complemented by a selection of images that emphasize the architectural value of the Círculo de Bellas Artes building, located between Calle de Alcalá and Gran Vía, and designed by Antonio Palacios as a space dedicated to cultural activity, integrated into the urban landscape of 20th-century Madrid.
With this new guest showcase, the Landscape of Light Interpretation Centre continues its work of disseminating the cultural and natural heritage of the World Heritage Site, giving visibility to institutions that have decisively contributed to the construction of the city’s cultural identity and its national and international projection.
