Calzados Lobo
Our most authentic and longstanding Madrid boasts many hidden treasures, and not all involving food. Ok, so lots do involve food, but we have plenty of other options. Today’s log is all about espadrilles, shoes, boots and other kinds of footwear. And it’s not just for the girls!
One such gem is Casa Hernanz, a popular port of call among foreign visitors who come here to stock up on our famous espadrilles. This charming shop offers espadrilles with wedge, semi-wedge and full wedge heel, with laces, for ladies, girls and men, even for shepherds…And it turns out that not all the clientele are foreign visitors; locals and Spanish travellers alike also come here to shop. And as it’s also a ropeworks, you can go mad trying to choose from all the colours and styles! At just €5.95, everyone can indulge in a pair of classic espadrilles… And if you give someone a gift-wrapped pair, you simply can’t go wrong.
Casa Hernanz, founded in 1880 as an espadrille shop and ropeworks, it has been selling such footwear for more than a century. The shop (Calle Toledo, 18) is never empty, whichever day of the year you go along, and they sell around 100,000 pairs a year. They’re used to having lots of customers, especially in summer, when the queues can stretch all the way to Plaza Mayor, as theirs is the only shop in Madrid selling hand-made espadrilles in 32 colours and almost 30 sizes.
Nearby, in Calle Toledo 30 (on the corner of Calle de los Tintoreros), there’s another place that we girls just love. Calzados Lobo is one of the oldest and most traditional shoe shops in Madrid. Founded in 1897 by Timoteo Lobo, this small establishment, located in the heart of the Hapsburg district and just a few yards from Plaza Mayor, has been run by the Lobo family for many generations. The shop retains its original wooden façade and zinc canopy so typical of 19th century Madrid shops, as well as its original interior decor, including the wooden shelves, benches and counter.
This is a one-stop shop for buying your flamenco-style Seville shoes; they’ve got every combination imaginable! Red ones and blue ones with white polka dots, green, silver, pink… It’s where we buy our velvet Mary Janes every year; there’s such a wide selection! They’ve also got plenty of things for the guys: incredible long-wearing leather boots, ankle boots, gaiters and, of course, espadrilles. The best idea is to visit their website and choose your footwear before visiting the shop. Happy shopping!
Laura Ceballos