Category

History & Culture

The characters, events and stories that shaped the capital

10 articles

The Milicianas of the Spanish Civil War
history-and-culture

The Milicianas of the Spanish Civil War

Who were the milicianas — the women who picked up rifles to defend the Second Spanish Republic — and why did history try so hard to erase them?

November 25, 20195 min
The Residencia de Señoritas of Madrid
history-and-culture

The Residencia de Señoritas of Madrid

The Residencia de Señoritas was the female counterpart of Spain's legendary Residencia de Estudiantes — the cradle of forgotten women pioneers.

April 1, 20195 min
history-and-culture

From a Neighbors' Yard to a Comedy Yard

From a humble shoemakers' yard to one of Europe's oldest theaters: the story of Alcalá de Henares' award-winning Corral de Comedias.

January 28, 20193 min
In the Shadow of TWO Lions
history-and-culture

In the Shadow of TWO Lions

The story behind Joaquín Sabina's iconic song 'A la sombra de un león' — a love letter to Madrid wrapped around the goddess Cibeles.

September 16, 20185 min
Popular Madrid Sayings and Proverbs
history-and-culture

Popular Madrid Sayings and Proverbs

From 'nine months of winter and three of hell' to 'Calle de la Pasa': discover the stories behind Madrid's most popular sayings and proverbs.

July 7, 20189 min
Madrid Songs: 'There's Nothing Here'?
history-and-culture

Madrid Songs: 'There's Nothing Here'?

An ode to Madrid through Los Refrescos' iconic 'Aquí no hay playa'. From Retiro and Cibeles to El Pirulí — what the city already had.

May 24, 20185 min
The Alfonso XII Monument in El Retiro Reopens
history-and-culture

The Alfonso XII Monument in El Retiro Reopens

After years closed, the lookout tower of the Alfonso XII Monument in Madrid's Retiro Park reopens. What's inside, what you'll see, and how to book.

May 3, 20184 min
history-and-culture

Under Goya's Gaze

Why Goya remains one of the most important artists in Spanish history — a painter ahead of his time who turned painting into testimony.

March 1, 20172 min
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