Banco de Espaņa
The Banco de España was established in 1782 by Carlos III. After holding the monopoly on the issuance of Spanish bank notes, it has since been integrated into and follows the monetary policy of the European System of Central Banks. An interesting feature of the bank lies beneath the Patio del Reloj. Thirty meters below street level and off limits to visitors sits a chamber-like structure surrounded by a moat that contains a vault with all of the bank's gold.
Fun Facts
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After a continuous series of wars between 1793 and 1814, the Banco de España was led into serious difficulties with the State owing over 300 million reales.
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Before modern security, the moat surrounding the vault would flood at any threat of a bank robbery.
Link
Banco de España
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