LA LATINA
The Latina area is an attractive and often
ignored part of old Madrid. In and around
this area are the origins of Madrid. Its difficult
to put precise boundaries on La Latina, because,
like its immediate neighbours, streets are
narrow and wind a lot, but for convenience,
we will define its boundaries as the calles
Bailen and Toledo, the Plaza Mayor and the
Puetra de Toledo. Apart from being one of
the most attractive parts of the city to wander
about in, it is home to many particularly
fine tapas bars, restaurants, and many spots for nightlife and social life centered in the plazas de San Andres, de la Cebada and de la Paja.
From San Francisco el Grande church, go up Carrera de San Francisco street. At the plaza de San Andrés, dominated by the dome of the Capilla de San Isidro, is the San Isidro Museum which shows the different of Madrid through the ages, from its beginnings as a Muslim stronghold to its birth as a metropolis. San Isidro Museum provides an account of Madrid´s archaeological past and the material, social and spiritual heritage of the various cultures that have lived here. It also contains an exhibition of the art and traditions associated with the patron saint of Madrid, Saint Isidro.
The street Cava Baja nearby has excellent restaurants, among which the reknown Lucio, and fashionable bars.
At the Plaza de la Cebada is the local covered market
originally made of iron and glass, it was demolished in 1956 and rebuilt as we can see today. Look out for the calle Almendro and the famous tavern with the same name.
Not far is the Plaza de Cascorro, heart of the popular Sunday street market, or Rastro.
Plaza de la Paja
Here the visitor will be reminded that while the Plaza Mayor was once a small dusty square on the edge of town, the Plaza de la Paja (Hay) was were the real city centre lay. Its name derives from the fact that it served as the auctioning centre for hay being resold by the caretakers and foremen of convent lands, who thus paid their use of lands with a tithe, for the privilege of using church lands.
It is a quiet atmospheric place with cafés and terraces.
The walled garden of the Prince of Anglona is located next to the like-named palacio. It is a haven of tranquil repose from which to observe the goings-on in the Plaza de la Paja.
From this square one can seen the Mudejar-style tower of the church of San Pedro El Viejo (the Elder), from the 14th century. Besides the artistic and religious interest it inspires, there is a legend surrounding the church: it says that the first bell to ring from the tower bellfry raised and hung itself up in the tower unaided. The story tells that when it was hoisted on many backs and the attempt was made to bring it up, it got stuck among the tower walls. The workers gave up and went to take a break from their labour; when they returned the next day, to their great surprise, the belll was already hanging in its designated place.
The charming plaza del Alamillo (small poplar tree) is not far. It is where the seat of the Arab court was thought to have stood, in the days when Madrid was Mayrit, the Arab city founded in the 9th century.
There is a mexican restaurant on the corner with a priviledge terrace during the good weather days.
