What is the Nave de Motores?
It is the power station that the Metro company built between 1922 and 1924 to secure the network's electricity supply. The brick building is the work of Antonio Palacios, architect of the first metro stations and of the Palacio de Cibeles. Inside, the three diesel engines, alternators and transformers are still in place. It was restored in 2008, is a listed Bien de Interés Cultural and is part of Metro's museum network. It is in the Marca Condal venue selection in Madrid (Marca Condal is a company in our group).
We suggest it as a cultural visit within incentive programmes, as a group activity for product launches in engineering, mobility or energy and as an add-on to leadership meetings.
What it offers today
| Aspect | Official information |
|---|---|
| Current use | Metro de Madrid museum |
| Visits | Free, guided or self-guided, booking required |
| Opening hours | Fridays 16:00 to 20:00; Saturdays 10:00 to 14:00 and 16:00 to 20:00; Sundays 10:00 to 14:00 |
| Private events | No published offer: checked case by case |
Source: Metro de Madrid museums website and a Comunidad de Madrid press release from November 2023, when it reopened after the accessibility works.
Getting there
The hall is at Calle de Valderribas, 49, in the Retiro district. The nearest metro station is Pacífico (lines 1 and 6), and Atocha, with AVE high-speed trains, is a few minutes away by taxi.
Production tips
- Book early. Visits are booked on the Metro museums website. For a group, request a date and slot well in advance.
- Respect the heritage. The engines and panels are protected pieces. Any set-up, however small, is agreed with Metro beforehand.
- Measured groups. To see the hall at a relaxed pace, split attendees into visiting slots.
- Ask before you design. If you want more than a visit, we first confirm with Metro whether it is feasible and on what terms.
What pairs well nearby
To round off a railway-themed programme, the Museo del Ferrocarril, Madrid's railway museum, is a natural fit, and for dinner, the Real Fábrica de Tapices, the Royal Tapestry Factory. Both are a few minutes away by coach.
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