Patio Maravillas

Patio Maravillas is a "Multi-purpose Autonomously-governed Space" situated at Calle Acuerdo 8, in the Malasaña district of downtown Madrid. It is housed in a building that was formerly a school that had been closed for 7 years.It started life in the summer of 2007, at which time work began on fixing up the building and organizing different activities to involve people living in the neighbourhood.

Its presentation took place on 4, 5, 6 and 7 October, three months after it opened. Its philosophy, both campaigning and respectful, allows participation by a large number of different groups and individuals that have joined one by one and made it their focal point.

Access is free, and there are several permanent activities such as the Bicicritica bicycle repair workshop, video and documentary screenings (Cinema Maravillas), a free-access Internet room-Hacklab, a cafeteria that serves as a meeting point and cultural and social exchange, English classes, remedial classes, a storytelling and creative writing workshop, subversion point (political and feminist discussion), the "chikiasamblea" (children's activities and games room), a photography workshop (Foto Patio), legal advice, rap workshop, and others.

There are also theatre, painting, music, audiovisual, and immigration groups, that meet, rehearse, and carry out their activities.

There are also special activities such as concerts, exhibitions, neighbourhood meetings, talks about health and consumer issues, and meetings of different groups.

There have also been performances by groups and soloists including Grande Marlaska and Amparanoia.

See also

* [http://patiomaravillas.net/ Patio Maravillas Web site]
* [http://bicicritica.ourproject.org Madrid Bicicrítica Web site]