In the 17th century the focus of the rapidly growing city shifted from the medieval centre, around Plaza de la Paja, to Plaza Mayor. Part market, part meeting place, this magnificent square was, above all, a place of spectacle and popular entertainment. No one knew what the populace wanted better than the playwrights of Spain’s Golden Age, whose names are still commemorated in the streets around Calle de las Huertas where many of them lived. There were no permanent theatres in those days; instead, makeshift stages were erected in courtyards. Over time the houses deteriorated into slums and teeming tenements. The parishes to the south of Plaza Mayor were known as the barrios bajas (low districts), because they were low-lying and were home to Madrid’s labouring classes. Mingling with the slaughterhouse workers and tanners of the Rastro were market traders, builders, innkeepers and horse-dealers, as well as the criminal underclass.
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The much restored and frequently remodelled Plaza de la Villa is one of the most atmospheric spots in Madrid. Some of the city's most historic secular buildings are situated around this square. The oldest building is the early 15th-century Torre de los Lujanes, with its Gothic portal and Mudejar-style horse-shoe arches. Francois I of France was allegedly imprisoned in it following his defeat at the Battle of Pavia in 1525.
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Noisy with traffic, chatter and policemen's whistles, the Puerta del Sol makes a fitting centre for Madrid. This is one of the city's most popular meeting places, and huge crowds converge here on their way to the shops and sights in the old part of the city. Today the "square" is shaped like half moon. A recent addition is the imposing statue of Carlos III. The Puerta del Sol has witnessed many important historical events. On 2 May 1808 the uprising against the occupying French forces began here, but the crowd, pitted against the well-armed French troops, was crushed. In 1912 the liberal Prime Minister Jose Canalejas was assassinated in the square and, in 1931, the Second Republic was proclaimed from the balcony of the Ministry of the Interior.
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FeriarteMadrid's annual art fair - Feriarte - has been running for over 30 years. The enticing selection of objets d'art, furniture and jewellery at the IFEMA should tempt everyone from antique lovers to... Read more
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Rembrandt: History PainterMadrid's star exhibition for autumn/winter 2008 is Rembrandt: History Painter (Historias de Rembrandt). The collection at The Prado Museum features 35 paintings and prints by the Dutch... Read more
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Madrid CarnivalIf you can't make it out as far as the Canary Islands, don't worry - Madrid's carnival may not be the most raucous, but it certainly finishes in style. Read more
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Madrid International Fashion WeekTwice a year, the Parque Ferial Juan Carlos I (IFEMA) in Madrid hosts the Madrid International Fashion Week (SIMM), the most important female fashion exhibition in the country. Read more
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