About this place
Centro Cultural de la Villa de Madrid — now officially called Teatro Fernán Gómez — is an underground theatre and cultural venue built beneath the Jardines del Descubrimiento gardens on Plaza de Colón, in central Madrid.
Where exactly is this theatre?
You won't spot a traditional theatre façade here: the auditorium and technical spaces sit entirely underground, beneath the small park next to the Columbus monument and columns on Plaza de Colón. This layout is a direct result of the square's redevelopment in the 1970s.
Is it easy to find on the spot?
Look for stairways leading down within the gardens on the square itself — from street level, there's little to suggest a full theatre lies beneath your feet.
How did this venue come to be?
When Madrid's city council decided to remodel Plaza de Colón, architect Manuel Herrero Palacios proposed making use of the space left over underground once the earthworks were finished, and designed a cultural centre inside it. It opened on 15 May 1977, in a ceremony attended by King Juan Carlos I and Queen Sofía, together with then Prime Minister Adolfo Suárez.
Why was it renamed Teatro Fernán Gómez?
In February 2008, on the initiative of then Madrid mayor Alberto Ruiz-Gallardón, the centre was renamed in honour of Fernando Fernán Gómez, a Spanish actor, director and writer closely tied to the city's stages. Since then, "Centro Cultural de la Villa" survives mainly as the historic name for the same building.
What can visitors do here?
It remains an active theatre and cultural centre right in the middle of Madrid, close to Paseo de la Castellana and Plaza de Colón — an area many visitors already pass through while exploring the Salamanca district or the city centre. It's worth checking the current programme before a trip, since the underground setting beneath one of Madrid's busiest squares is itself a small architectural curiosity.
Worth a visit even without seeing a show?
Yes — the square and its gardens are free to walk around at any time, and a stroll past the monument and the park hiding the theatre underneath makes a natural addition to a walk through this part of Madrid.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Centro Cultural de la Villa de Madrid located? Beneath the Jardines del Descubrimiento gardens on Plaza de Colón in Madrid — the whole building sits underground.
When did it open? On 15 May 1977, in a ceremony attended by King Juan Carlos I and Prime Minister Adolfo Suárez.
Are Teatro Fernán Gómez and Centro Cultural de la Villa the same place? Yes, they're the same venue. It was renamed in February 2008 to honour actor and director Fernando Fernán Gómez.
Who designed the building? Architect Manuel Herrero Palacios, as part of the redevelopment of Plaza de Colón.
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