Palacio de Fomento


The Palace of Fomento, also known as the Ministry of Agriculture Building, is a nineteenth-century office building in Madrid, Spain. Designed by Ricardo Velázquez Bosco, it is on a prominent site opposite Atocha railway station.

Use and name

The building's name has changed over the years reflecting the official name of the Ministry which occupies it. It was originally occupied by the Ministerio de Fomento. For most of its life the building has been the seat of the Agriculture Ministry, and the words "Ministerio de Agricultura" are prominently displayed in a cartouche on the facade.
In 2008, the Agriculture Ministry merged with the Environment Ministry. The building houses civil servants belonging to the current Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Environment.
adorning the building

Sculptures

In 1905, a group of marble sculptures by Agustí Querol Subirats entitled La Gloria y los Pegasos was placed on top of the building. The sculptures have been replaced by bronze replicas.

Heritage status and access

It was put on Spain's national heritage register in 1989 under the name Ministerio de Agricultura, Pesca y Alimentación.
It is classed as a Bien de Interés Cultural or Property of Cultural Interest.
As at 2016 guided tours are available to the public outside normal office hours.