Espacio Fundación Telefónica

You’ll need to cross Gran Via and step back a little to fully take in the gigantic size of the Telefónica building. With its 1930s New York vibe, you’re not imagining things—it evidently took inspiration from American skyscrapers belonging to that era. It’s considered the first skyscraper in Europe as well as the tallest building in the continent—at the time of its construction, of course. An iconic part of Madrid’s skyline, locals are really proud of this one. Designed by Ignacio de Cárdenas, it’s considered a gem of early 20th-century architecture. Originally built for the Telefónica company, the building was still under construction when King Alfonso XIII made the first transatlantic phone call from here in 1928, speaking with U.S. President Calvin Coolidge. Two years later, the company employed 1,800 people—many of them were women known as “telefonistas.” At a time when women were only starting to work, these Madrid telefonistas helped shape the city’s modern image. As the building housed the most important communications line in all of Spain, it naturally became a key target during the Spanish Civil War. By the way, its basements were often used as bomb shelters. Over the years, the building has been renovated several times, most recently in 2012 when the Espacio Fundación Telefónica opened. Spanning 6,000 square meters across four floors, it’s now home to exhibitions and events that are as varied as they are fascinating. If you’re interested, it’s free to visit, but I advise you to book your time slot in advance on the Fundación Telefónica website.