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Information about Centro District

The History of the Centro District

The first settlements in this area date back to the Muslim era, in the 9th century when Muhammad I, Emir of Córdoba, built the first fort to police the possible transit of Christians on their way to Toledo. This fort was located next to the River Manzanares, and there are still some remains of it left today. It described a perimeter enclosing around 4 hectares in the area of Cuesta de la Vega, next to the Royal Palace. The settlement grew around the fortress to give rise to Madrid “Magerit” from the Arabic meaning “land rich in water”.

The city fell into Christian hands in 1083, and in 1123 it became a Villa. Felipe II established the Royal Court in Madrid in 1561, when construction began of some of the buildings and monuments comprising the so-Called “Madrid de los Austrias”. Buildings and areas such as Plaza Mayor, the City Hall and the Prison were built during that period.

During the “Age of Enlightenment” the city prospered and expanded, although many of the monuments continued to be built in this central area, such as the Royal Palace and Cibeles Fountain.

The Borbons, particularly Carlos II, wanted to make Madrid a Villa in line with the best in Europe, and therefore invested heavily in infrastructure, drainage and public buildings.

In the 19th and 20th centuries, Isabel II built the Congress of the Deputies building near Puerta del Sol, and in 1909 officially opened the Palace of Communications (aka Cibeles Palace).

Historical characters from the Centro District

Many novelists from the Spanish Golden Age decided to settle in this area, such as Miguel de Cervantes, Lope de Vega, Francisco de Quevedo and Luis de Góngora.

Their preference for this area was because of the many theatres in the Huertas and Plaza de Santa Ana area, namely: Cruz Theatre and Theatre of the Prince, previously known as Corral del Príncipe and currently known as Teatro Español. Furthermore, in Calle del León (where Cervantes lived) the Representatives or Comedians Talking Shop was located, where actors, actresses, poets, playwrights, representatives and other celebrities met up on a daily basis to comprise one of the most significant discussion groups of the time, where gossip and news was told and heard which later became the subject of plays and comedies in the nearby theatres.

On the other hand, near Plaza de Santa Ana, on the edge of Barrio de las Letras, is the well-lnown Callejón de Gato, where the distorting mirrors were found that Valle-Inclán used to describe the grotesqueness of Spain in his book “Luces de Bohemia” [Bohemian Lights].

Other celebrities who also lived in this district were: Eloy Gonzalo, Jacinto Benavente, Giuseppe Verdi, who lived in Plaza de Oriente and Calderón de la Barca, who lived in Calle Mayor.

Culture in the Centro District

• Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum
• Reina Sofia Museum
• Real Academia de Bellas Artes de San Fernando Museum
• Descalzas Reales Monastery
• Encarnación Royal Monastery
• Municipal Museum
• Lope de Vega House Museum
• Madrid Athenaeum
• CaixaForum Madrid

Restaurants in the Centro District

There are several areas in the city where many establishments can be found for full meals or tapas. The following are just some of the bars and restaurants in Madrid city centre: Malacatín, Los Galayos, Casa Botín, Lhardy, Casa Labra, Gourmet Experience (in El Corte Inglés de Callao), La Rotonda ( in the Westin Palace Hotel), Al Mounia, Estado Puro, Palacio de Cibeles, Cien Llaves, Alabaster, Comala, La Carmencita, Yakitoro, Kuoco 360 Food, Gioia, Morgana, la Barra de Atún, Taberna Ángel Sierra, La Nieta, La Ardosa, Casa Julio, Casa Camacho, Clarita, La Pescadería, Bar Galleta…

There are also several food markets: Barceló Market, San Antón Market, San Fernando Market, La Cebada Market, Antón Martín Market, Los Mostenses Market, Mercado de San Miguel Market and San Ildefonso Market.