Lorraine Williamson
On International Museum Day, a spotlight turns to a lesser-known side of the Spanish capital: Madrid’s underground museums. These sites, tucked away inside metro stations or former infrastructure, offer a unique perspective on the city’s transport, industrial, and palaeontological past.
Each site is accessible via the Madrid metro system. Most are free to visit and provide an engaging detour from traditional tourist attractions.
Celebrating International Museum Day
International Museum Day, coordinated by the International Council of Museums (ICOM), is observed worldwide on 18 May. It encourages museums to highlight their role in cultural exchange and development. Each year focuses on a different theme, aiming to promote accessibility and inclusivity in cultural spaces. In Madrid, the day offers the perfect opportunity to explore unconventional venues like the city’s underground museums, many of which participate in special events or extended hours.
The origins of the Metro: Platform Zero
Andén 0 (Platform Zero) is at the heart of this network, a cultural project that preserves two key locations from the early 20th-century metro system: Chamberí station and the Nave de Motores de Pacífico.
Chamberí, part of the original metro line inaugurated in 1919, was closed in the 1960s. Today, it has been restored to its original condition, complete with vintage adverts and tiled walls. Though trains no longer stop there, visitors can access the station from street level and explore its history through audiovisual exhibits.
Just a few stops away, near Pacífico, the Nave de Motores houses three diesel generators that once powered the entire metro. The former power station is now an industrial heritage site, showing how the system kept Madrid moving in its early years.
Designed by a master of Madrid
Both sites bear the hallmark of architect Antonio Palacios, who also designed the Palacio de Cibeles. Palacios was instrumental in shaping the early look of the metro, using materials like wrought iron and ceramic tiles to create iconic designs still admired today.
Archaeology beneath Ópera station
Not all of Madrid’s underground museums focus on the metro itself. At Ópera station (lines 2, 5 and Ramal), visitors will find remains of a 16th-century aqueduct and the Caños del Peral fountain. Excavations have revealed an important part of the city’s former water supply system. Informational panels and digital displays help explain its function and significance.
Vintage trains on display at Chamartín
Chamartín station (lines 1 and 10) offers a permanent exhibition of original metro trains dating back to 1919. Visitors can compare early wooden interiors with later models from the 1960s. Historical photos and documents also explore how the metro functioned during the Spanish Civil War.
Fossils discovered in Carpetana
One of the more surprising finds lies beneath Carpetana station on Line 6. During renovations in 2008, workers uncovered fossils dating back more than 15 million years. Remains of mastodons, rhinos and prehistoric horses were found here. The site now includes replicas and educational panels, making it an unexpected window into Madrid’s ancient natural history.
Planning a visit
Entry to most of these museums is free. However, visits to sites like the Nave de Motores may require prior booking. Metro de Madrid also offers a Museum Passport. Collecting stamps at each location earns visitors a small gift upon completion.
Full details, including opening times and access, can be found on the Museos de Metro website.
Hidden histories beyond Madrid
Spain’s underground heritage extends far beyond the capital. Toledo hides ancient tunnels and baths beneath its streets. In Seville, remnants of an old mosque sit below the cathedral. In Guadix, locals live in cave houses carved into the hills. Even Franco-era bunkers remain buried in the Pyrenees. Together, these subterranean sites offer a richer understanding of the country’s layered past.