The Madrid of the Habsburgs

Madrid achieved its greatest prosperity in terms of its monuments during the reign of the Habsburgs. These Renaissance and Baroque buildings form a historic route today which is known as the Madrid of the Habsburgs

Among the Spanish capital's legacy of monuments, the route comprising the Madrid of the Habsburgs is one of the most picturesque. It is a tour of the buildings of the time when the dynasty of the Habsburgs ruled in Spain. This prosperous reign started with Charles I, who adorned the city with palaces and monuments; the city reached the height of its splendour in 1561, when Philip II made it the capital of the kingdom.

From km 0 to the Plaza Mayor

There is no better place to start the tour than the Puerta del Sol, the symbol of Madrid par excellence and kilometre 0 of the Spanish road network. From here one walks along Calle Mayor as far as the square of the same name. This regularly shaped square with columns was built in the 17th century by order of Philip III. 

It has witnessed much Madrid history since then, from bullfights to autos-da-fé at the time of the Inquisition, processions, festivals and even executions. In the present day, a stamp and coin market is set out under its arches on Sunday mornings. The changes in its architecture have also been numerous since it was first built; it is now enclosed, with arcades and dwellings up to five storeys high. 

In this spacious rectangular setting, the most important buildings are the Casa de la Panadería, adorned with frescoes and the Casa de la Carnicería, which are facing one another. The bronze equestrian figure of the monarch, which was erected by Juan de Bolonia, presides over the centre. Another popular place is the Arco de Cuchilleros, located on the corner of the street of the same name, where the guild of master cutlers was established; it is also famous for its period décor restaurant/ bars.

One enters the next square, Provincia, by one of its corners. The Palacio de Santa Cruz, from the 17th century, is situated here; at present it is the Ministry of the Interior. Retracing one's steps through the Plaza Mayor and exiting by the opposite corner through calle Ciudad Rodrigo, one comes to San Miguel square which has a noteworthy market. 

Plaza de la Villa

The tour returns to Calle Mayor as far as Plaza de la Villa, where there is a mixture of Gothic, Plateresque and Baroque styles. The Casa de la Villa, a former town hall and prison, which is currently the City Hall, is located in this area. Opposite Madrid's centre of local authority is the Church of San Salvador, where Calderón de la Barca is buried. Also noteworthy here are the medieval Casa Cisneros and the Torre de Lujanes, the latter being a remnant of a palace.

Close by is Plaza del Conde de Miranda, where one must visit the Convento de las Carboneras, which dates from the 17th century; one may also admire the medieval structure of the surrounding streets. Another religious building worthy of our attention is the Baroque Basílica de San Miguel, from the 18th century, in calle San Justo. 

Churches, side streets and convents

Crossing calle Segovia one comes to calle El Nuncio, where the 15th century style of the church of San Pedro el Viejo attracts one's attention. One must enter the Plaza de la Paja to see the Capilla del Obispo, which is the only chapel in the Madrid Gothic style. Baroque, in contrast, is the style of the chapel of San Isidro, which is located in Plaza de los Carros. 

One proceeds to the adjoining Plaza del Humilladero, from which one must take Cava Baja, a street of traders, which also preserves its medieval design. It is worth exploring these side streets to end the tour at the Cathedral of San Isidro.

The Plaza de la Encarnación, to the north of the Royal Palace, is a little off the tour route. It houses the Convento de la Encarnación, one of the most important monuments from the time of Madrid of the Austrias. The French-style dwellings and the monument to Lope de Vega stand out in the square. Margaret of Austria was responsible for founding the monastery and it was built to hold religious ceremonies in which the Crown participated. The monastery's design is simple and rectangular, in the Baroque style.

FURTHER INFORMATION:

The Madrid tourism association (Patronato de Turismo de Madrid) provides guided tours of the route; they set out from the Centro de Turismo de Madrid, in the Plaza Mayor.

Starting point: Plaza Mayor, 27 (Centro de Turismo de Madrid).
Times: Monday at 10:00 am, Thursday at 4 pm (6 pm in summer) and Saturday at 12 pm.
Booking and advance purchase: Tel. 915 882 906 / 915 881 636.
Prices: Adults, €3.25. Young people up to 25 years, students, senior citizens and unemployed, €2.65.