Bank of Spain (Banco de España)

The Bank of Spain headquarters is a masterpiece of late 19th-century Spanish architecture. Designed by Eduardo Adaro and Severiano Sainz de la Lastra, construction began in 1882 and the building was inaugurated by King Alfonso XIII in 1891. The structure is a prime example of eclectic style, blending classical elements with a focus on institutional monumentality. It has undergone three major expansions: the first in 1927 by José Yarnoz Larrosa, the second in 1969, and the most recent in 2006 by architect Rafael Moneo. Historically, it serves as the nation's central bank and is the custodian of Spain's gold reserves and significant art collections. Its location on the corner of Calle de Alcalá and Paseo del Prado makes it a key anchor of Madrid's Art Walk and the Paisaje de la Luz UNESCO World Heritage site.