Espacio Fundación Telefónica

About the museum

Espacio Fundación Telefónica opened its doors in 2012 in the Telefónica building on the Gran Vía in Madrid, one of the city’s first skyscrapers. It was founded to promote encounters between technology, the arts and the humanities and to encourage critical thinking about the major transformations of the present, through exhibitions, educational activities, lectures and talks.

The centre occupies several floors of the building: on the ground floor are the hall, the ticket office, the Sala del mapa and the shop and bookshop; floor 1 houses the café; floor 2 contains the auditorium and the permanent exhibition; and floors 3 and 4 are devoted to temporary exhibitions and classrooms.

The permanent exhibition, “Exponencial. De analógicos a digitales”, was presented to mark the company’s centenary. Under three headings, Habla, Vive e Imagina (“Speak”, “Live” and “Imagine”), it traces the impact of telecommunications on our lives, from the first telephones of the 19th century to the internet, mobile telephony and artificial intelligence. It includes eighty objects from the company’s historic technological heritage, audiovisual material and nine interactive installations.

The space also runs workshops, free guided talks and activities for families, schoolchildren and older people, and pays particular attention to accessibility, with easy-read guides, induction loops and sign language interpreters.

Highlights

• Permanent exhibition “Exponencial. De analógicos a digitales”
• Eighty objects from Telefónica’s historic technological heritage
• Nine interactive installations
• Free admission and free guided talks
• Gran Vía building, one of Madrid’s first skyscrapers

Permanent exhibition

• Exponencial. De analógicos a digitales – Permanent exhibition on floor 2 about the impact of telecommunications, with eighty historic objects, audiovisual material and nine interactive installations.

Founded

2012

Operated by

Fundación Telefónica

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Free admission to the centre and to all activities. Guided tours are also free but require prior booking.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours
• Easy-to-read materials
• Audio description: no information

Entrances and spaces are adapted for people with reduced mobility, with accessible toilets, a lift, rest areas, and wheelchairs and walking-stick seats available in the galleries. There are induction loops and lifting systems to overcome steps. Auditorium events have sign language interpreters, and there are guided tours with an interpreter for Spanish Sign Language (LSE) on specific dates. Exhibition guides are available in easy-read format.

Kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

There are workshops for families and programmes for schools; school visits are booked by email. Baby buggies are allowed. Children under 14 must remain under the supervision of an adult.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop
• Lockers

Espacio Movistar café on floor 1 and the shop and bookshop on the ground floor, where the ticket office is also located. Backpacks, suitcases, food and liquids are not allowed.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

The centre provides information on hiring its spaces (telephone +34 914 984 273).

Plan your visit