Palacio del Hielo y del Automovil
| Palacio del Hielo y del Automovil | |
|---|---|
| |
| Location | Madrid |
| Opened | October 30, 1922 |
| Closed | 1926 |
| Owner | |
| Construction cost | ~10 million pesetas |
| Tenants | Club Alpino Español Azul Hockey Club Other clubs |
| Capacity | |
| Dimensions | 55 x 28 x 8.50 meters |
The Palacio del Hielo y del Automovil was an indoor ice rink in Madrid, Spain. When it first opened on October 30, 1922, it was the first such facility in Spain.
Wealthy hotel tycoon Georges Marquet first announced the construction of the rink in September 1920. A driving force behind the rink was the president of the San Sebastian Hockey Club. The Spanish King being invited as an honorary guest on opening night, and the first game was played the same evening, with the French side Club des Patineurs de Paris defeating the Belgian club Brussels IHSC 13-2.
The building was designed in French Renaissance style and was a popular gathering place for aristocracy and other upper-crust individuals in Madrid. It featured an elegant salon and bathroom in Louis XIV style, posh changing rooms for men and women, a snack room, a bar, and a cigar room in English style. There was also a salon for the hockey players to relax in. Another room had the space for four orchestras to play.
The rink was the epicenter of Spanish hockey during the 1920s and was home to all the teams participating in the Spanish Championship. It closed in 1926 due to a lack of customers.
The building remained standing and has served many different functions since its closure as an ice rink.
Credits
Special thanks to Patrick H. for supplying information on this arena.