1878 was the year in which construction of the Stock Exchange Palace began. On a lot given by the State in the Plaza de la Lealtad.

A competition was held to choose the architect, with architect D. being the winner. Enrique Mª de Repullés y Vargas, his project was accompanied by the motto “Without Peace, Commerce is not possible.”

Chance, Fortune or Mercury wanted it, that Repullés was the son of a stock exchange agent. He knew the atmosphere of stress and nervousness that permeated the trading floors, and the needs to accommodate stock market activity. He chose to give a basilica shape to the main contracting nave, seeking to create a 'temple of economy', and wanted to provide it with a large entrance of natural light, fixing a large surface of the roof with glass.

The great weight of the glass led Repullés to replace the wood with iron in the beams, following the example of the construction of the 'Eiffel Tower'.

Two Madrid artists were in charge of the ornamentation of the Palace: the sculptor Francisco Molinelli and the painter Luis Taverner. We can see numerous reliefs throughout almost the entire building. The 'Caduceus' stands out, coming from 'Greek Mythology'.
It is made up of three main parts: two snakes that stare at each other, which would be supply and demand, in turn symbolizing prudence; a rod that separates them as an arbitrator to bring them to agreement, the function of the Stock Exchange; as well as two wings at the top, which express the speed necessary in making decisions when buying or selling.

Also striking is the imposing portico of the façade with six columns, the side pavilions and a beautiful staircase. In the atrium there are four reliefs that represent Commerce, Industry, Agriculture and Navigation. It has a clock imported from Strasbourg.
15 years later, in 1893, the palace was inaugurated by Queen Regent Mª Cristina. In neoclassical style in line with other Madrid palaces of the time, how the Bank of Spain, the National Library, Museum of Modern Art wave Royal Academy of the Language.

They make individual visits every Thursday at 12.00:2015 p.m. But we see on their website that the reservation quota is full until October 2. We will have to wait until September XNUMX when they open the quota for the last quarter.

A abrazo.