Salamanca District is one of the most representative areas of the Bourgeois extensions to the city, which was built in accordance with the Castro Plan in 1860 and had been fully developed by 1927. The La Guindalera and Fuente del Berro were built on the outside of the planned area, following a more haphazard urban development.
It was named after José de Salamanca y Mayol, Marquis of Salamanca, who had the original idea of the site with highly nurtured building designs, with the intention of housing the aristocrats and upper classes. It was traditionally a residential area where the political elite, economists, aristocrats, financiers, traders, artists, writers, bullfighters, etc., lived.
The main arteries in the district are, from west to east: Serrano, Velázquez, Príncipe de Vergara and Conde de Peñalver. The Marqués de Salamanca Plaza establishes the limits between the wealthy area and common area.
In the area comprising Villanueva, Claudio Coello and Goya streets there are still some homes designed by the architect Lecumberri, which are striking because of their large gateways for horse-drawn carriages, inner courtyards and height built to three or four storeys.
A building in Calle Villanueva still remains from the extension period, which was formerly a hotel.
Throughout all periods the elite have made Salamanca District their home, and novelists and politicians could often be seen in this district.
Antonio Machado lived with his family at No. 25, Calle Claudio Coello. Ortega y Gasset, Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer also lived on this street, as did Camilo José Cela, who wrote “La Familia de Pascual Duarte” [The Family of Pascual Duarte] while he was living there.
Miguel Hernández was held prisoner in Torrijios Prison which was in Calle de Conde de Peñalver.
Carmen Laforet and Federico García Lorca also lived in this district.
