El Instituto Cervantes is a public institution created by Spain in 1991 for the promotion and teaching of the Spanish language and co-official languages ​​and for the dissemination of Spanish and Latin American culture. It is present in 90 cities in 43 countries on five continents.

Its headquarters in Madrid is located in the Caryatids building, initially known as Banco Español del Río de la Plata. It is a beautiful chamfered building located at number 49 Calle de Alcalá, corner with Barquillo. An eclectic style building of monumental character: Greek neoclassicism.

The name given to it by the people of Madrid is due to its four imposing classic caryatids (columns in the shape of a woman) located on both sides of the main entrance of the building, made by the romantic sculptor Angel Garcia Diaz. Antonio Palacios y Joaquin Otamendi They were the designers and construction managers in charge of constructing the building in 1918. Various modifications took place and also changes of owner and name: headquarters of the Central Bank, later of the Banco Central Hispano and the Official Credit Institute. It has been the headquarters of the Cervantes Institute since October 2006.

A work that already has many of the characteristics of Palacios such as polished granite, large and open spaces, that monumental classicism so characteristic of the architect.

A abrazo.