One of my icons of my dear Madrid and found me a picture ! Enough reason to have a post in my blog, This is part of my youth in the city and brings back many memories, read on, Ahh this is the Palacio de Congresos de Madrid ! Happy to have it in my blog, another spot in my life’s history and Madrid is big on that !
The Palace of Congresses is at Paseo de la Castellana 99 in the block formed by Avenida General Perón , Calle del Poeta Joan Maragall and Plaza Manolete. It has a total area of almost 40,000 m² and is intended for holding a wide variety of events. It was inaugurated on June 1, 1970 by the Prince of Spain, Juan Carlos de Borbón y Borbón (later king Juan Carlos I). The façade on Avenida General Perón has a large tile mural, the work of ceramist Llorens Artigas, according to an original design by Joan Miró, which was placed in 1980.
It has an Auditorium with stalls for up to 995 seats, and an amphitheater for 914. It also has several rooms: Sala Unesco Salas Goya, Salas Europa, Sala 9 and Sala 9 bis Six offices with 11 rooms, On November 25, 1972 it hosted the first OTI Festival. (where I sneak in to see it lol !!), OTI = The OTI Song Festival created by the Ibero-American Television Organization. During the 1982 World Cup in Spain, it was a press center. For this purpose, a walkway was built that connected the Palace over the Paseo de la Castellana to connect it with the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium. This walkway was dismantled after the World Cup and a part was installed as a pedestrian bridge on the A-3 in Madrid linking Moratalaz with Villa de Vallecas and another part on the road to Colmenar Viejo (M-607) between the Ramón y Cajal Hospital. and the neighborhood of La Paz.
The Real Madrid, together with IFEMA,(org of fairs and events) is interested in incorporating the Palacio de Congresos, which has been closed to the public since 2012, into the new Bernabéu. To the Santiago Bernabéu, with its new works, commerce, leisure and even the organization of events or congresses will be added, in which this building would play a very important role. The collaboration between Real Madrid and IFEMA would guarantee the organization of events in said building. Also, Real Madrid is interested in the palace car park, which would be added to the club’s two car parks near the stadium.In another extra news , almost at the time that the workers will consider the work of the new football stadium finished, it will be when the works of the Palacio de Congresos will start, which will house the new headquarters of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) to be finish by from 2024, To be continue….
The Madrid tourist office on the Palacio de Congresos: https://www.esmadrid.com/en/tourist-information/palacio-de-congresos-de-madrid
There you go folks, to me it will remain an icon building of my Madrid, the one of my wonderful youthful times in the city and great anecdote of my famous family story sneaking into it to see the OTI event ! This is part of what Madrid is for me, Looking forward to its new configuration as above and a visit on my next time in the city, eventually, Hope you enjoy the trivia and do walk by it at least ,it is in a prime location.
And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!
Paris1972-Versailles2003 
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