La Casa Encendida

About the museum

La Casa Encendida occupies the neo-Mudéjar building that Fernando Arbós designed on the Ronda de Valencia for the Monte de Piedad and Caja de Ahorros de Madrid. Work began in 1911 and it opened in 1913; for decades it served as an office, archive and pawnshop, which is why it became known as the “Casa de Empeños” (pawnshop house). The coloured brickwork and the rectangular plan around a large central courtyard are typical features of that style.

Between 1999 and 2002 the architect Carlos Manzano refurbished it for cultural use, removing barriers while respecting its historical value. The centre opened on 3 December 2002 as a social and cultural project of the Obra Social of Caja Madrid, under the direction of José Guirao; its name comes from a book of poems by Luis Rosales.

It now belongs to the Fundación Montemadrid and offers, across some 6,500 m² spread over four floors and a roof, exhibition rooms, an auditorium, a cinema, a library and media library, a shop, a café in the courtyard and a terrace with a garden. It combines contemporary art with activities on solidarity, the environment and education.

Highlights

• Neo-Mudéjar building by Fernando Arbós (1913) with a large central courtyard
• Contemporary art exhibition rooms
• Garden terrace on the roof
• José Guirao Library, with free access
• Programme of film, concerts and family activities

Founded

2002

Operated by

Fundación Montemadrid

Director

Pablo Berástegui

Admission & discounts

Admission to the centre is free; exhibition prices are given on each exhibition's page, and those for courses and workshops on each activity. Some activities offer discounts for under-30s, over-65s, unemployed people and large families. Tickets are bought on the website or at the centre (Tuesday to Saturday 10:00–20:45 and Sundays 10:00–15:45).

Accessibility

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

The centre complies with the universal accessibility standard UNE 170001. A Spanish Sign Language interpreter is provided on request for talks lasting less than two hours (with five working days' notice) and for courses and workshops (with fifteen days' notice).

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Playground / play area

The programme includes En Familia activities (€5) and the Juegatorio, a free-access play space until capacity is reached (Friday 16:00–21:00, Saturday 10:00–14:00 and 16:00–21:00, Sunday 10:00–14:00; subject to the centre's activity).

Getting there & parking

The centre recommends arriving on foot or by bicycle. There is a BiciMAD station (stop 49) nearby.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

“Refugio” café in the central courtyard and café-bar on the terrace (run by lakook). The centre also has a shop and a library.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Corporate events

The courtyard, terrace, auditorium, audiovisual and cinema hall, tower 2 and several multipurpose rooms are available for hire for corporate and institutional events. Contact telephone: 915 063 879.

Plan your visit