PALACIO DE COMUNICACIONES MADRID

Looking like a palace on the outside and a train station within, this building could well be the world's most impressive post office. Nicknamed Nuestra Senora de las Communicaciones, as if it were a cathedral, it dominates the Plaza de la Cibeles I . The Banco de España stands opposite; further south, on the Pas eo del Prado, is the Stock Exchange. These three grandiose buildings from the beginning of the 20th century were part of the city's programme of expansion and reflect a confidence in Madrid's future. Inside, the post office is all marble and brass beneath a stained-glass ceiling providing plenty of natural light The 80 different counters offer a wide variety of services from posting a parcel to paying the rent. Buying a stamp seems mundane by comparison.

In the two side wings, you can stand and write your postcards at one of the 44 desks. Outside, customers slip their mail into 12 brass bulones (post boxes) -  1 marked Madrid, Sevilla, Valencia, Barcelona and more. There is even a special one for urgentes.