The Madrid of crime and mystery
Introduction to the guided route
The history of Madrid is full of crime and mystery. As you will learn, Madrid, from its origins up to present day, is a city with a stunning bloody legacy in terms of crime and mystery. And many of these are still unresolved! Crimes were committed in all neighbourhoods. However, in this case, we are going to concentrate on Madrid Central with it crimes, mysteries and legends. We will take a guided tour through Madrid’s gruesome history in one of the oldest parts of the city.
Itinerary
Plaza Mayor – Plaza de la Villa – Calle de Sacramento – Calle del Rollo – Puerta Cerrada – Arco de Cuchilleros.
At the start of the tour, we will see how The Plaza Mayor played an important role in the Spanish Inquisition and the Autos de Fé. What did they consist of? Who attended these events? Get to know the motives behind these celebrations and also how they ended.
Also, the Plaza Mayor was famous for many other events apart from those mentioned above. This was the place for street theatre and bull fights name a few.
Moreover, this was the place of gossip and hearsay and people flocked to be part of the celebrations or to listen to people confessing to their crimes.
Upon leaving the Plaza, we will make a small incursion in this tour of crime and mystery to visit the gaol of the royal court. Here, under the immense sculpture of a sleeping angel languished figures of such renown such as Quevedo, victim of reprisals brought about by his critical writings and viperous pen.
Political Murder
We continue on our fascinating journey of crime and legend until we come to the Plaza de la Villa. We are in the heart of the Habsburg’s Madrid. Francisco I, the then King of France or Antonio Pérez were the protagonists of political plots here during Felipe II’s reign. The consequences of their actions resulted in many an unsolved murder.
Further crime and mystery
Meanwhile, we continue on our journey of investigation and near the viaduct, we will learn of the detective king. His name was Pedro I The Cruel. His reputation for ruthlessness was well earned. During the visit, we will pass by the Calle del Rollo and learn of where it got its troubling and mysterious name.
You will learn of the mysterious world of the casas a la malicia. This was a crime related to real estate, forgive the pun. These were houses allocated out to favourite courtesans, giving rise to the popular saying of “he who creates the law, creates the trap.”
In the calle de Cuchilleros, the street of knives, we will learn of Luis Candelas. He was Madrid’s most renowned thief in a city of crime and secrecy. He was, among other things, a highway robber. But, none withstanding, he hobnobbed with the ruling nobility in the times of Fernando VII.
Finally, this will conclude our visit of the Madrid of crime and mystery. I hope you enjoy it!