Two small villages originated to the right of the River Manzanares south of Madrid. Carabanchel Abajo and Carabanchel Arriba, where chickpeas were grown, a staple ingredient in the popular traditional Madrid Stew.
Villas and palaces were built in the area where Madrid’s high society spent their periods of rest, one of which was the Counts of Montijo Palace.
La Colonia de la Prensa, an art-deco quarter built between 1913 and 1916 designed by the architect Felipe Mario López Blanco, was one of the most well-known sites in the district. Building a colony for writers and journalists was an initiative by the “Los Cincuenta” professional association during the reign of Alfonso XIII. They were Called “casas baratas” [cheap housing] and were the first state subsidised houses to be built.
From the end of the 19th century many hospitals, asylums and charity foundations were built in the area, which are still there today. Moreover, La Chata was officially opened in 1908, the Vista Alegre Bullring.
Vista Alegre estate is a garden that was created in the early 19th century as a recreational area for María Cristina de Borbón, and was also enjoyed by Isabel II and the Marquis of Salamanca. The estate covers 45 hectares with gardens, palaces and public buildings.
The two villages were renamed Carabanchel Alto and Carabanchel Bajo, and were annexed to Madrid in 1948.
Madrid's districts were restructured in 1971, and Carabanchel was split up leading to the Latina, Carabanchel and Usera districts arising out of the former Carabanchel.
