May 24, 1926, marked a pivotal moment in the history of the Geological and Mining Institute of Spain (IGME-CSIC). On that day, the 14th Session of the International Geological Congress opened in Madrid; the gathering brought together Earth science specialists from various countries and established the institution as a major international scientific landmark.
The hall designed by architect Francisco Javier de Luque to host the congress subsequently began a new chapter as a permanent exhibition space. It became the showcase for collections of minerals, fossils, and rocks amassed by the institution since the mid-19th century—the fruit of decades of geological research and fieldwork.
Over time, this space evolved into the current Geomineral Museum (Museo Geominero), now considered one of the IGME’s architectural gems. Its grand hall is distinguished by the elegance of its lines and a spectacular suspended ceiling featuring stained glass; the light filtering through creates a unique atmosphere that enhances the displayed collections.
The museum’s history reflects not only the evolution of the space and its identity but also the development of a scientific, educational, and heritage-focused project dedicated to preserving and sharing geological richness.
A stamp issued by the Spanish postal service to commemorate the Geomineral Museum’s centenary features a view of the hall alongside a specimen of Australian banded iron formation—one of the collection's geologically oldest rocks, formed 3.5 billion years ago. The composition juxtaposes two seemingly opposite yet deeply connected forms of beauty: that created by human hands and that shaped by Earth's history over millions of years.
Geomineral Museum (IGME-CSIC). 100 years. Madrid
