Madrid - Ateneo Artístico / Científico y Literario

Since its foundation in 1820 the Ateneo has been a center of the intellectual and political life of Madrid and Spain. In its rooms the literati, philosophers and politicians discussed the latest literary, artistic, political and scientific trends and movements. During the reign of Ferdinand VII and once more under the dictatorship of Primo de Rivera the Ateneo was forced to close. Its heyday was the period of the Republic. After the Civil War the Ateneo resisted the dictatorship of Franco in so far as it was able. Since 1975 it has endeavored to win back its position of pre-eminence in the intellectual life of Madrid. Today it hosts a large number of cultural events, such as readings by writers, lectures and films.