La Casa Encendida is a social and cultural center in Madrid’s Lavapiés neighbourhood, at Ronda de Valencia, 2. Its changing programme spans contemporary art, film, theatre, music, workshops and talks, with themes including culture, solidarity, the environment and education. You can also find libraries, a café and exhibition rooms in the building. Check the current programme before you go, then leave time to explore the rooftop garden, which has a quieter feel than the galleries and limited city views. Entry to the exhibitions is free.
A cultural centre in Lavapiés
La Casa Encendida is a social and cultural centre in Madrid’s Lavapiés neighbourhood. Its programme is organised around culture, solidarity, the environment and education, bringing exhibitions together with performances, workshops, screenings, courses, talks and activities for children. The centre is open to audiences of different ages, and the programme changes regularly, so the current schedule is the best guide to what you can see during your visit.
The building brings several uses together: exhibition rooms, libraries, classrooms, media spaces, an auditorium and a café. Exhibition spaces include the basement and first floor. The centre also has a rooftop garden and terrace, used for cultural events during the summer. Entry to exhibitions is free; advance tickets are recommended for activities that require them.
Exhibitions and events
Contemporary art is a central part of the programme, with work by emerging artists and established names across different media. Past exhibitions have included Picasso’s “SIN TÍTULO” and an exhibition about Africa. These are examples of earlier shows, not a promise of what will be on during your visit. Check the centre’s programme for current exhibitions and dates.
The schedule can also include theatre, music, film, conferences and workshops. Summer brings events on the roof under the name La Terraza Magnética, including open-air screenings and concerts. If you are choosing a visit date around a particular event, confirm that it is on the calendar before setting out.
The rooftop and other spaces
The rooftop garden offers a calm place to pause between exhibitions. Views of the city are limited, so it is better suited to a quiet break or a scheduled rooftop event than to a panoramic lookout. In summer, the terrace becomes an outdoor venue for screenings and other cultural activities.
The café, libraries and other shared spaces add to the centre’s role as more than an exhibition venue. The building also has a children’s library, classrooms and media rooms. Availability of individual spaces can change, so check the current information if one of them is the main reason for your visit.
Preguntas frecuentes
Is entry to La Casa Encendida free?
Entry to the exhibitions is free. Advance tickets are recommended for activities that require them.
What can you see at La Casa Encendida?
The programme includes contemporary art exhibitions, theatre, concerts, screenings, workshops and talks. The building also has libraries, a café and a rooftop garden.
Does La Casa Encendida have a rooftop?
Yes. The rooftop garden has limited city views and hosts cultural events in summer, including open-air screenings.
Where is La Casa Encendida?
It is at Ronda de Valencia, 2, in Madrid’s Lavapiés neighbourhood.
