La Residencia de Estudiantes

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From its foundation in 1910 until the war in 1936, The Residencia de Estudiantes was the most vibrant cultural centre in Madrid, and a powerful innovative force in the whole country. Though it was a students' residence - García Lorca, Buñuel and Dalí all stayed there in the early days - 'La Resi' also organised visits to Madrid by leading artists and scientists of the day and was active in the propagation of avant-garde ideas from outside Spain. The Civil War and subsequent regime severely stifled intellectual freedom and the Residencia languished until the late 1980s, when it was resurrected as a private foundation sponsored by Spain's official scientific research council. Once again a centre of excellence, it hosts talks by major international figures, plus conferences and exhibitions, recitals, films and concerts.