Placa Matadero en Usera

Plaza Matadero is an open cultural square on the border between the Arganzuela and Usera districts of Madrid, right beside the Manzanares river. It forms the heart of a former municipal slaughterhouse now turned into one of the city's leading contemporary art centres.

What is this place?

The square is the central open space of the Matadero Madrid complex, a former slaughterhouse and livestock market built between 1911 and 1924 to a design by architect Luis Bellido. Its brick industrial pavilions, spread across a site of more than 165,000 square metres, handled animal slaughter and livestock trading for Madrid through most of the 20th century. Once the industrial function ended, the city converted the site into a cultural hub: the old halls now host exhibitions, theatre productions, film screenings and artist residencies, while the square itself is used for concerts, festivals and outdoor events.

What is the link to Usera?

The square's name ties it directly to the neighbouring district of Usera. Between 1927 and 1930, architect Fernando de Escondrillas built the Colonia del Pico del Pañuelo, a workers' housing estate next to the slaughterhouse, and many of the plant's workers lived in Usera. That historical bond between the district and the old slaughterhouse is kept alive today through cultural programming such as "Historias de Usera," run as part of Matadero Madrid's activities and drawing on the neighbourhood's working-class memory.

How do you get there?

The easiest way is by metro to Legazpi station (lines 3 and 6), just a few minutes' walk from the square. The area borders Madrid Río park, so it's worth combining the visit with a walk along the riverside. Access to the square and to most of the pavilions is free.

What will you see there?

The complex's distinctive brick industrial architecture — halls, chimneys and old roof structures — creates an unusual backdrop for contemporary art. The square regularly hosts open-air events: concerts, outdoor film screenings, markets and festivals. The surrounding pavilions house exhibition halls, a cinema, theatre spaces and studios for resident artists.

When should you visit?

The square is open daily, generally from 9am to 10pm (on some days access after 10pm and until midnight runs through the Plaza de Legazpi entrance). It's worth checking the events calendar beforehand, since the biggest draws — film festivals, concerts, design markets — run seasonally, and those are the days the square is liveliest.

Frequently asked questions

Is entry to the square free? Yes, access to Plaza Matadero and the complex's public spaces is free; specific exhibitions or special events may charge a fee.

What's the fastest way to get there from central Madrid? Take the metro to Legazpi station (lines 3 and 6), then walk a few minutes to the square.

Is it worth combining with other nearby sights? Yes — Madrid Río park runs along the Manzanares river right next door, and a walking route from here also leads toward the Usera district.

What else is worth seeing besides the square itself? The former industrial halls of the Matadero Madrid complex, which now house galleries, a cinema and theatre venues — check the current events programme before you go.