In the country that’s home to the magnificent Prado Museum and Salvador Dali there’s no escaping the sense that art plays a defining role in Spanish culture.

And the Madrid Barajas Airport’s T4 is no exception.

The landmark building by star architect Richard Rogers has become the envy in the design world, since garnering the esteemed Stirling Prize for architecture when it opened to huge fanfare in 2006.  His vision for T4 was to create spacious levels that intersect between the steel wave rooftop, supported by trees of steel beams painted in bright orange. The glass ceiling filters natural light that streams into the space and changes hue depending on the time of day.

The airport is filled with public art, too.

One huge statement piece is by Ecuadorian Oswaldo Guayasamín, known as the “Painter of Latin America.” Thousands of passengers dash by his work America every day. Another signature creation is, The Three Ladies of Barajas designed by Valencian artist Manolo Valdes. Check it out at the check-in area. See the three bronzed pieces standing tall, looming over the frenzied passengers. Each sculpture is poetically named: The Realistic, The Flirt and The Dreamer.

Whether you’re collecting luggage in arrivals or checking-in at departures art is for all here in Madrid.