Why You Can't Miss A Trip To The Caixa Forum

The Caixa Forum is one of Madrid’s newer museum additions, sponsored by La Caixa bank. The space has an interesting background and plenty of cool exhibits, and its prime location on one of Madrid’s most famous streets, the Paseo de Prado, puts it in close proximity to the Museo del Prado, the Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza and the Parque Retiro. Here’s a few reasons why you shouldn’t miss paying the Caixa Forum a visit on your next trip to Madrid.

It was once an abandoned electrical station

The building was reconstructed from 2001 to 2007 by Swiss architects Herzog & de Meuron. Instead of destroying the former Mediodía Power Station or knocking it down, the museum integrates the old electrical station’s frame and building with new floors, giving off the same industrial feel, made of oxidised cast-iron.

It has some awesome exhibitions

This spring, the Forum is offering some very special photography exhibits. Check out prints by Cristina García Rodero, featuring women living in Anantapur, India (February 11 to May 28, 2017) for free. A collection of more than 300 photos from Philippe Halsman, known for his collaborations with Salvador Dalí and his 101 covers for LIFE magazine, is a delight to see (through March 26, 2017).

It goes way beyond art for a holistic cultural experience

Besides the awesome art exhibitions, the cultural space also hosts music and poetry festivals, cinema, debates about current affairs and politics, social events, educational workshops and events geared toward family and children. For example, upcoming events include a series of film screenings on Thursday evenings with movies by renowned Spanish director Luis García Berlanga, discussions on classical music and a swing dance concert.

They donate to charity

La Caixa Forum likes to donate to places they feature. For example, the photo exhibit from India inspired donations to many charities in the country. They’ve actually collaborated on more than 22 projects with India since 2001, benefitting some 370,000 people.

Yes, there’s a Wall of Grass

As we all know, grass typically grows on the ground, but French botanist Patrick Blanc wasn’t going to let that stop him. Next to the Caixa Forum entrance, there’s actually a giant wall covered in grass, meant to seamlessly blend in with the Botanical Gardens, which are just down the street. An amazing spot to take that effortlessly curated Instagram pic, you could stare at this wall in awe forever. Our only question is – how do they mow the wall lawn?

You get discounts if you bank with La Caixa

If you bank with La Caixa, you’ll receive discounts and even free entrance to some exhibits. For anyone living in Madrid and needing to bank, this is an easy way to have your money in a local account and also save on cultural activities.

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