The Church of Saint Genesius is marked by an atrium enclosed by iron railings that separates the building from the bustle of Calle Arenal. While its documented history stretches back to the ninth century, the structure standing today…
Old Madrid Hapsburg Streets
This walk takes you through the stone-paved heart of Madrid to experience the architectural legacy left by the Hapsburg dynasty. We'll trace the city's rise from a medieval stronghold to the capital of a global empire, visiting historic plazas, hidden churches, and the magnificent Royal Palace.
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1. Church of Saint Genesius
2. Plaza Mayor
The Plaza Mayor is a massive, rectangular space in the center of Madrid enclosed by three-story residential buildings with over two hundred balconies overlooking the stone ground. At its center stands a bronze equestrian statue of King…
3. Santa Cruz Palace, Madrid
The Santa Cruz Palace is identifiable by its symmetrical red brick facade and two corner towers topped with dark slate spires. Commissioned by King Philip the Fourth and built between sixteen twenty-nine and sixteen forty-three, this…
4. Colegiata de San Isidro
The Colegiata de San Isidro is defined by its monumental granite facade, which features twin belfries and stands directly on the Calle de Toledo. Originally built in the seventeenth century as the church for the Jesuit Imperial College,…
5. Pontifical Basilica of Saint Michael
The Pontifical Basilica of Saint Michael is defined by a rare, convex façade that curves outward toward the street, a shape that stands apart from the flatter architectural styles typically found throughout Madrid. Designed by the Italian…
6. Plaza de la Villa
Plaza de la Villa contains a collection of buildings from three distinct centuries, arranged around a central bronze statue of the Spanish admiral Álvaro de Bazán. The space functioned as the municipal seat of Madrid for centuries,…
7. Royal Palace of Madrid
The Royal Palace of Madrid presents a colossal, symmetrical façade of grey granite and white limestone, stretching over one hundred thirty-five thousand square meters. It is the largest royal palace in Europe, containing over three…
8. Plaza de Oriente
The Plaza de Oriente is recognizable for the bronze statue of King Philip the Fourth at its center, which depicts the horse balanced entirely on its hind legs. This square sits between the Royal Palace of Madrid to the west and the Teatro…