Bloggin' Madridhistory – Bloggin' Madrid

A way of life

Silvia Roba — Tue, 22 Mar 2022 07:57:04 +0000

A large part of Madrid’s history has been witnessed by the marble tabletops of its coffee shops which, since the start of the 19th century, have enriched cultural life in the capital by hosting regular philosophical debates. Many others have followed suit, and it’s time to pay them a visit. “I go out for a […]

Weaving threads

Silvia Roba — Tue, 18 May 2021 09:48:20 +0000

Journey through history with the Royal Tapestry Factory, which in 2021 will celebrate 300 years since it first opened its doors. At the heart of its mission is the production and restoration of rugs, tapestries and coats of arms, in addition to conserving Spain’s textile heritage. Its guided tours invite us to discover how today’s […]

Café de Chinitas: flamenco in its essence

Fernando Martin — Fri, 31 Aug 2018 11:52:49 +0000

In the Café de Chinitas / said Paquiro to his brother: / ‘I am braver than you / a better bullfighter and a better gypsy’. These are verses that Federico García Lorca wrote as a tribute to the oldest Café Chantant in Spain and direct ancestor of today’s flamenco venues known in Spain as tablaos: Café de Chinitas in […]

Mad Weird

Liam Aldous — Fri, 18 Mar 2016 13:45:53 +0000

Madrid is a city full of quirks. The capital city’s notoriety may stem from its status as Spain’s grandiose capital, but look past the wide boulevards, colossal monuments, and traditional bars, and you’ll spot an endless array of urban anomalies. Shaped by its tumultuous history, simmered by years of isolation, and brought to life by […]

Madrid Icons

Silvia Roba — Tue, 26 Aug 2014 11:30:48 +0000

Which famous landmark best represents Madrid? For many it would be Cibeles Fountain, for others the Prado Museum, Puerta de Alcalá, the Royal Palace, the Bear and the Strawberry Tree or Picasso’s Guernica. What a tough choice! Today, rather than opting for one of these famous attractions, I’ve decided to give an overview describing some of the other iconic […]

The Legacy of the House of Alba Exhibition

Ignacio Vleming — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 08:26:06 +0000

There’s always a huge amount of work behind any exhibition, as you can see in this video about the The Legacy of the House of Alba exhibition. The paintings, which are on display at CentroCentro Palacio de Cibeles and have already been seen by over 135,000 people, will be showcased till 21 April. Many of […]

Are there any mummies here?

Laura Ceballos — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 09:43:57 +0000

I recently enjoyed a family day-out with my friend Almudena de Benito, architect and creator of Chiquitectos (an architectural workshop for kids), and her son Martín who, together with Manuela, my daughter, could easily have passed for a 21st century Anthony and Cleopatra if they hadn’t both been wearing their break dancer gear. The advantage of […]

Guided tours to suit all tastes

Silvia Roba — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 09:56:48 +0000

Sometimes we get so used to strolling around the same areas and seeing the same buildings and streets that we forget to keep an eye out for secret corners and pay attention to the fascinating history they share. We walk past little plaques without reading them, not realizing that they are donned by buildings in […]

The Palace and the Ritz: 100 years of history

Carlos Menéndez — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 10:15:09 +0000

When visiting a city, the first thing you need is somewhere to stay. But that’s not what this post is about. Yes, the Palace and the Ritz are two hotels. Two centrally-located, comfortable, exclusive, classic, punctilious and perfect establishments. But the aim of this post is to help us understand why these two emblematic hotels, […]