Conde Duque

The Centro Cultural Conde-Duque in Madrid is a major municipal cultural center for contemporary art, housed in a historic Baroque barracks. The monumental early 18th-century building, designed by Pedro de Ribera, originally served the Royal Guard and is considered the last great example of Spanish Baroque architecture before the adoption of Italian stylistic elements. After a checkered history that ranged from military use to a devastating fire and a rescue from demolition, the complex underwent extensive renovation and reopened in 2011. Today, in addition to exhibition and performance spaces, the complex houses important city archives, libraries, and a museum of modern art, making it a lively cultural gathering place in the city.